Hit the target.

 "India's direct tax collections have witnessed a remarkable upswing, underscoring its strong economic growth, improved compliance and better tax administration." "Personal income tax receipts have surged at a compounded annual rate of 22.8% to Rs 12.57 trillion in 2024-25 from Rs 8.33 trillion in 2022-23," wrote TV Mohnadas Pai & Nisha Holla. Are the people really growing wealthy as tax collections indicate? "According to the International Monetary Fund, in 2024, India ranked 142nd out of approximately 190 countries, with a nominal per GDP of around $2,700." And yet, "With 200 billionaires in 2024, according to Forbes magazine, India ranks third globally in the billionaire count," wrote Arjun Jayadev & Advait Moharir. It is not just direct taxes that are being squeezed out of us, but indirect taxes are an even bigger burden on the people. "India's goods and services tax (GST) collections surged 9.9% YoY to Rs 1.96 trillion during March 2025." ET. The GST policy started on 1 July 2017. In the first full financial year (FY) 2018-19, total GST collection was Rs 11.77 trillion, which has soared to Rs 20.18 trillion in 2023-24. In FY25, total GST collection from April-December 2024 has been Rs 14.07 trillion. cleartax.in. If we add Rs 1.96 trillion in January, Rs 1.84 trillion in February (BS) and Rs 1.96 trillion in March, we get a total of Rs 19.03 trillion for FY 25. The price of anything we buy includes the cost of transportation. Out of Rs 83.22 for one liter of diesel in Delhi, taxes account for Rs 43.99 (over 50%). bankbazaar.com. "India's toll collection touched an all-time high in FY25 at Rs 729.31 billion, an increase of 12.5%, with the number of use of toll use climbing about a tenth. ET. Since most goods are transported by trucks, taxes on diesel and high tolls increase prices on which the government collects GST. New regulations on income tax, drafted by 150 officers over 60,000 hours, have been revealed. But, "It does nothing to ease Indians' basic concern: That the taxman will send them a demand for an arbitrary sum when they least expect it." "Distrust and confrontation is at the heart of how the Indian taxation system works, and it is both nerve-racking and inefficient," wrote Mihir Sharma. Seven Indian academic institutions received tax demands on research grants ranging from Rs 50 million to Rs 1.20 billion, labeled "tax terrorism" by Mr TV Mohandas Pai. ET. Disputes are common. "Out of the arrears of over Rs 43 trillion, around Rs 29 trillion (67%) is impossible to recover," states Revenue Secretary report to the Parliamentary Committee. FPJ. Mr Pai is pleased with the rising personal income tax collections but is incensed by the tax on research grants. Tax authorities are the same and resort to terrorism to fulfill targets set by the Finance Minister in the budget. This year's budget has set a target of net taxes at Rs 28.37 trillion. pib.gov.in. Officials will do anything to achieve it. Terrorism and extortion.