SCC OPPOSE HIGHER TAX FOR PROFESSIONALS,TRADE & EMPLOYMENTS

PRESS RELEASE
DT 19 july 2008

SCC OPPOSES HIGHER TAX FOR PROFESSIONALS ,TRADES & EMPLOYMENTS.


It is learnt that Central Government is thinking to bring a proposal before the Union Cabinet to raise the ceiling on professional tax from Rs.2500/- to Rs.7500/- per annum. The union cabinet is expected take up the proposal shortly.

Professional tax is levied by State Governments on profession, trades, callings and employments. The limit last fixed was Rs.2500/- per annum. States out of their hungry for more revenue are urging upon the Central Government to increase this limit from Rs.2500/- to Rs.7500/- .

Sikkim Chamber of Commerce founds the steep rise three folds oppressive and opposes the same. The Professional people like lawyers, doctors, self employed persons out of their hard work are contributing a lot to Exchequer of States and Central Government. It is not, therefore, proper that the citizens who are already burdened with high inflation and high taxes are asked to cough out more taxes.

Instead of reducing the number of taxes, State as well Central Governments are bent on creating new form of levies. Whenever a new levy is created, the Government goes for a new directorate for its collection and a new process of registration/tax payments/assessment /reassessments and harassments starts.

Indian taxpayers are already burdened by a number of taxes like Income tax, Wealth tax, VAT, Service tax, Excise duty, Customs duty, Entry tax, Toll tax, and many local levies.

It will be better if the number of taxes is reduced, tax rates are made moderate and collection process created simpler with no hassles and harassments.

Sikkim Chamber of Commerce calls upon Union Government not to go ahead with its proposal to enhance professional tax from Rs.2500/- to Rs.7500/-. I call upon all national trade and professional bodies to oppose it.


S.K.Sarda
President
Sikkim Chamber of Commerce
Gangtok,Sikkim.