Honour the tax payers, expose defaulters
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: June 15, 2022 -

TAKING into account of the fact that it is the tax payers' money that ultimately determines not only the wealth but also spurs administrative efficiency of any country, there is no doubt that the felicitation of select top advance tax payers of Manipur during Tuesday's outreach programme on advance tax was aimed at encouraging other wealthier citizens to contribute in the nation building process.

While those who have been paying tax in huge amount deserve commendation from the taxing authorities, it is equally important that the income tax department put in some effort to assess whether the tax coffer of Manipur is compatible with the number of super-rich citizens.

For the fat salaried government employees it is impossible to evade tax payment as there is a mechanism put in place to deduct the liable amount once every financial year but the same cannot be said of those in the non-formal sector such as business persons and contractors.

It needs no reminding that all business operations are centred on maximising profit but they keep the earnings a closely guarded secret through various deceptive means.

Similarly, there are unaccountable numbers of contractors or sub-contractors who execute projects under the name and brand of registered special contractors belonging to specific communities who are exempted from paying tax regardless of the wealth he/she accumulates, not to speak of business houses which maintain register of non-existent employees to save on income tax payment.

Thus, the appeal by Imphal Range additional commissioner of Income Tax Ng Joseph Gangte to individuals from the elite section of the society to contribute their mite in fuelling the country's development is unlikely to prod the conscience of the wealthy non-tax payers.

However, it is commendable that business persons like H Rajen of Raj Medicity and Sinam Pritam of Eastern Motors, who were among the 20 top advance tax payers felicitated on Tuesday, to express elation on being recognised and honoured for lending hand in the development of the country and state and recommending that such events be conducted every year to spread awareness on paying advance tax.

There might be personal and technical reasons for the programme, aimed at targeting the low advance tax payers as well as high self-assessment tax payers, attended by only 54 taxpayers, in a state like Manipur, where a number of brand new swanky four wheelers hitting the streets is one of the reasons for the increasing problem of traffic congestion, it is indigestible that only a little over 50 people were present at the event.

The 54 attendees might have been the specially invited ones but there is always the apprehension that Manipur's inability to join the developmental race could be due to perception among the wealthier people that income tax is a burden, consequently avoid-, ing paying the same through deception.

Until the income tax authorities device a strategy to identify who are liable to pay the tax, then it is obvious that Manipur will continue to experience stunted growth in all the vital sectors.

It seems that individuals living a lavish lifestyle but reluctant to pay the taxes need vigorous explanation that their contribution will enable the government to execute people-oriented projects and schemes.

In other words, without taxes, it would be impossible for the establishment to function other than giving lip service.