In a surprising move, the Municipal Commissioner is set to revise the proposal for imposing professional taxes through the rear door. It’s noteworthy that a similar proposal was presented to the special officer last year but was dismissed.
However, the municipality has resubmitted the proposal to the Delhi government through new channels. According to the proposal, individuals earning between five to ten lakhs annually will be levied ₹1,200, while those earning more than ten lakhs will face an annual tax of ₹2,400.
💼 Tax Categories and Revenue Projections:
- 5 to 10 Lakhs: ₹1,200 per annum
- Above 10 Lakhs: ₹2,400 per annum
🏦 Budget Estimates:
Municipal Commissioner Jnanesha Bharati unveiled the estimated budget for 2024-25 in a special session of the Municipal House. The budget anticipates an income of ₹15,686.99 crores and an expenditure of ₹16,683.02 crores. A notable inclusion in the budget is the proposal to impose professional tax through the rear door.
📊 Taxation Strategy:
If approved, the municipal authorities plan to encourage tax compliance by obtaining data from the Income Tax Department. The initiative aims to appeal to citizens to fulfill their tax obligations willingly.
🔍 Previous Door Proposition:
The term “rear door” is used as the Commissioner, in his budget speech, referred to the schedule of taxes after reviewing proposals for tax increases. While the municipal spokesperson clarified that the provision for imposing professional taxes is included in the tax schedule, it wasn’t explicitly mentioned in the speech. The corporation is readying itself for annual collections but this time, the strategy is kept discreet.
📈 Path Forward:
The proposal will now await approval from the Delhi government. If sanctioned, the estimated income will undergo modifications in the adjusted budget, marking a significant shift in the city’s taxation landscape.