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Only 1 percent Indians pay income tax, shows govt data

  •   Sun, May 01 2016 11:16:59 PM

New Delhi, May 1 (PTI): Taxpayers account for just about one percent of India's population, but tax outgo was over Rs. 1 crore for as many as 5,430 individuals, as per the latest data disclosed by the government for assessment year 2012-13.

As part of a transparency drive, the government has made public direct tax data for last 15 years. Data for individuals has been published only for 2012-13 assessment year, which shows taxes for income in financial year ended March 31, 2012.

A total of 2.87 crore individuals filed income tax returns for that year, but 1.62 crore of them did not pay any tax -- leaving the number of taxpayers at just about 1.25 crore which was close to one percent of the country's total population of about 123 crore at that time.

The tax outgo was less than Rs. 1.5 lakh for a vast majority of nearly 89 percent taxpayers (over 1.11 crore). Their average tax payable was just about Rs. 21,000, while the collective amount stood at over Rs. 23,000 crore.

The three individuals in the top-bracket of Rs. 100-500 crore paid a total tax of Rs. 437 crore -- resulting in an average tax outgo of Rs. 145.80 crore.

As many as 5,430 individuals paid income tax of over Rs. 1 crore. Out of this, the tax range was Rs. 1-5 crore for more than 5,000 individuals, resulting in a total outgo of Rs. 8,907 crore.

As per the overall data, total income tax collections rose nine-fold to Rs. 2.86 lakh crore in 2015-16, from Rs. 31,764 crore in 2000-01.

The data further said that the bulk of individuals who filed returns for the assessment year 2012-13 earned an annual salary between Rs. 5.5 lakh and Rs. 9.5 lakh.

Over 20.23 lakh taxpayers earned Rs. 5.5-9.5 lakh, while their cumulative salary earnings stood at Rs. 1.40 lakh crore in the financial year 2011-12.

Further 19.18 lakh individuals earned salary of Rs. 2.5-3.5 lakh that year.

Six individuals fell in the high-end earning bracket of Rs. 50-100 crore of salary income.

In the salary range of Rs. 1-5 crore, there were as many as 17,515 individuals.

Nearly 2.87 crore salary earners filed their I-T returns in assessment year 2012-13.
  

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Comment on this article

  • Jawar D'Souza, M'lore /Mumbai/

    Mon, May 02 2016

    It is utter foolishness to talk about 1% paying income taxes. It is quite clear that only income is to be taxed, how many from a household will be having a income in a family of 4 working member will be either 1 or 2 that is to say half, more over agriculturists are not taxed. India is a land of agriculture 70% of our workforce is employed in agriculture, now from the remaining we have to calculate the percentage, not of the total population, All of us are paying taxes one way or the other. what ever we buy is taxed, any service availed is taxed. A lot of people are evading Income tax why should we not Tax every individual's income, starting from a very low percentage of .5% or even less and increase it gradually as the income rises. Even if one s proper income officials dont believe they think every one has got something to hide. Its only the ignorant middle class who are paying taxes along with the super rich.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • PRAVEEN, MANGALORE

    Mon, May 02 2016

    100% INDIANS PAY INDIRECT TAX LIKE VAT,SERVICE TAX,CUSTOM DUTY,EXPORT TAX,IMPORT TAX, PROFESSIONAL TAX, EDUCATION CESS, WEALTH TAX, TAX ON CAPITAL GAINS,TAX ON SHORT TERM GAIN,DIVIDEND TAX,PROPERTY TAX, HOUSE TAX, CST,SWATCH BHARAT TAX,ETC ETC ETC...

    FROM THESE TAXES INDIVIDUAL CANT ESCAPE..

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rakesh , Mangalore

    Mon, May 02 2016

    50% of Fuel cost is contributed as Tax to Govt. 14%v VAT / Service Tax is paid to Govt. On top of this Clean India Cess Education Cess etc. Even a Breakfast or Lunch in Restaurant is Taxed by this Govt.

    After all the above, what is left with citizens to pay for Income Tax.???

    Moreover what are the Benefits Govt is offering to Tax Payers in this Country.? All the Schemes and Bhagyas are given to those who do not pay Tax.

    Only the Middle Class Salary Earning citizens end up in paying Income Tax as they don't have any option to avoid.

    Also the moment one starts filing tax the trouble starts.

    In this scenario is anyone willing to pay the Tax to Govt with their own wish without any legal binding.?

    Corrupt Govt no willing to liberalize the Tax policies and to give fair justice to the Tax Payers like in Western Countries.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sampath, Mlore/ Blore

    Mon, May 02 2016

    Only 1 % is paying INCOME TAX whereas for other 99 % Taxes are collected in the form of WEALTH TAX , SERVICE TAXES, and over that PF % rates cut's.

    Do these 1 % of the people pay the Tax amount honestly or else how much more is stashed in Foreign banks for Tax evasions

    DisAgree [1] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Mon, May 02 2016

    Even if 99% of India pays 1% Income Tax, India will be the Richest Economy in the World.
    Who is going to make our Duffers Understand ...

    DisAgree [1] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • avani, mlore

    Mon, May 02 2016

    Unfortunately 60 years of governing post independence did not make 99% of India capable of paying even 1% of their income as tax. Sad but true fact.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • vassu, kudla

    Mon, May 02 2016

    The 1% tax payers of this country are paying for the remaining 99% of people who do not contribute in any way for the nation building. The government should device ways of collecting some percentage of taxes from every earning adult of this country. Now it is this 1% of the population who are squeezed dry by the authorities. Why cant they broaden the base rather than taxing the already taxed people. or at least some incentives can be given to tax-payers like cheaper petrol or cheaper electricity or some concession in travelling expenditures or some concession in school fees of such individuals' children. Then more and more people can be motivated to pay taxes.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Flavian, Mangaluru/Kuwait

    Mon, May 02 2016

    25% of Indians worth in crores are well trained in manipulating and evading IT. Outwardly they look simple & ordinary but hidden treasure is any ones guesswork. Government has to use all the means & efforts to unearth such scrupulous tax evaders. I heard that an ordinary grocery/retail store makes business in thousands of Rupees (may be 50,000 and above) and what is the mechanism of accounting such an income or revenue is not clear.
    That's why people have elected BJP government.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • arm, ksa

    Mon, May 02 2016

    That means 1% of Indians are holding 99% of country's income. All the rest are suffering to the core.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Nithya, mlr

    Mon, May 02 2016

    Let the govt publish all it's income & expenditure till the last rupee and then the percentage of income tax payers will shoot up. Low income tax payers show people's low confidence in the govt irrespective of party.

    Were there more cong supporting payers during cong rule and more bhakth payers now?

    DisAgree [2] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sachidanand Shetty, Mundkur/Dubai

    Mon, May 02 2016

    Income Tax Concept in India is very simple…..Moment you start paying Tax….Trouble Starts!!! So, let the TDS if any get deducted from your Income but don’t bother to file the Return!!!! You have to face so many hurdles to file NIL return too!!! But we should be happy that because of this 1% tax payers so many people are getting Job in Income Tax Departments and so many Chartered get their fees too!!!! We also need to admit that….from these 1% so many vote bank communities get their share based on their reservation quota too

    DisAgree [4] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Hussain, Abudhabi

    Mon, May 02 2016

    And that 1% tax is utilized on giving Mongolia $1 Billion, Nepal $1 Billion, $600 Million to Africa, Statue of Unity Rs 2063 crore and fly to different countries in the name of investment...
    To recover this increase the tax in the name of Swachh Bharat cess and say ACHE DIN ab door nahi !!

    DisAgree [8] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Mon, May 02 2016

    Hussain, Donation was only for Forbes Coverage ...

    DisAgree [3] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • nagesh nayak, bangalore

    Mon, May 02 2016

    OMG with 1% italian led congress made rs. trillions of ghotala and just imagine the quantum of corruption if 10% pays income tax.

    DisAgree [28] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Mon, May 02 2016

    Only 1% in our Government is Educated - Fituus ...

    DisAgree [6] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sachidanand Shetty, Mundkur/Dubai

    Mon, May 02 2016

    That also out of 44 CONGiss Members "Zero" percentage!!!

    DisAgree [20] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • gm, mlur

    Mon, May 02 2016

    So we have still congress gov't at the center.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lokesh, Mangalore

    Mon, May 02 2016

    @Shetty from Mundkur: Did you ever heard a name called Manmohan Singh? BTW, In Mangalore city corporation a new scam is going on called water scam...?/ D you know who is behind it??

    DisAgree [1] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Santosh,K, Mangalore

    Mon, May 02 2016

    Some Indians are paying premiums to LIC to save income tax.
    Then why Government not taking action on Black money from abroad.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • gm, mlur

    Mon, May 02 2016

    1% is more than enough. We do not get any benefits.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [24] Reply Report Abuse

  • The Guru, Mangalore

    Mon, May 02 2016

    I think benifits, interest and all are haram in Islam..

    DisAgree [16] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • gm, mlur

    Mon, May 02 2016

    Why are you talking about Islam? Is India an Islamic country? India is a Secular democratic country. For your information I am not a Muslim but i do not have Enmity with any person of any religion if the person is good and he is doing something good.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [28] Reply Report Abuse

  • John, Udupi

    Mon, May 02 2016

    and this Jaitley instead of thinking of rest 99%, wants to again and again loot these 1%...!!!???. These people are best doing Kejriwal bashing and nothing else good for the people who voted them with hopes!!

    DisAgree [3] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • Don, Bangalore

    Mon, May 02 2016

    .... and that 1% is poor salaried people who have no other option that just bow down to the govt! no matter what they are going to do with the tax money!!

    DisAgree Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • geoffrey, hat hill

    Mon, May 02 2016

    Replace Jaitely by Harvard Swamy, who'll abolish personal IT totally.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dev Kumar, Mangalore/New Delhi

    Mon, May 02 2016

    After mess cleaned up in JNU..swamy will made vice chancellor. Swamy is gem within us.

    DisAgree [19] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Mon, May 02 2016

    Lower your Income Tax by 90% and 99% Indians will willingly pay Tax.
    Only a Genuine Economist will UNDERSTAND ...

    DisAgree [2] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • Langoolacharya., Belman/Washington,DC.

    Mon, May 02 2016

    In India only middle class salaried people pay taxes...Big Industrialists and most business people don't pay taxes...this need to change...middle class taxes should be reduced and Industrialists and businessmen need to brought under tax net...this wont happen as long as we have corrupt political system...

    In a lighter vein corruption money in swiss banks need to be taxed too...

    ...JH...

    DisAgree [1] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vincent Rodrigues, Frazer Town,B'lore

    Mon, May 02 2016

    ONLY 1 PERCENT PAY TAX AND REST ARE PAYING NOTHING IN THE FORM OF INCOME TAX IS REALLY ALARMING.GOVERNMENT NEED TO LIBERALIZE TAX LAWS AND WORK TO BRING AS MANY TO TAX NET.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • KRPrabhu, Kudla/Bluru

    Mon, May 02 2016

    But,do they have any special previledge given as ll these years?

    DisAgree [1] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Langoolacharya., Belman/Washington,DC.

    Mon, May 02 2016

    vote for AAP for reduced Income tax...and corruption free system...

    ...JH...

    DisAgree [5] Agree [29] Reply Report Abuse

  • Santan Mascarenhas, Kinnigoli/Mumbai

    Mon, May 02 2016

    As a citizen, it is our duty to pay income tax and also the privilege to see that it is spent in a right manner. Even rest of the people who do not have the income to pay income tax, pay numerous indirect taxes in India. As on now, when 1% pay direct tax, the benefit also is enjoyed by not more than 1% of the population.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • Albert D'Souza, San Francisco/Mangalore

    Mon, May 02 2016

    Only 1 percent Indians pay income tax and those one percent support 99 percent of the Indians and you call these rich & famous tax payers who support 99% of you corrupt, intolerant, What a shame. Better work hard, do business better, do politics, do corruption to the maximum & pay tax.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Salvador Pereira , Mangalore/Dubai

    Mon, May 02 2016

    Simply accept India is rich Indians are poor, we have wealth tax, vat, excise, educational cess etc and etc., Most of the rich citizens are NRI's and they want to be NRI. Officially 1% Indians calculate out of 1.2 Billion still its lot.

    Wait if our PM travels the way he does to the overseas countries we will have another NRI.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dev Kumar, Mangalore/New Delhi

    Sun, May 01 2016

    With only two states government getting half the revenue...mahrastea 39.9% and New Delhi 13.3%. Other states good for nothing.
    Just ask our NRI's are remitting there money thru proper channel. Most.of.them using hundi and demanding why infrastructure is bad.

    DisAgree [20] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • geoffrey, hat hill

    Mon, May 02 2016

    NRI's remittance doesn't attract income tax and does Hundi still exist? I thought its a thing of the past. In any case what's more detrimental to our economy than Hindi is outflow of Indian money in billions to tax havens such as Panama, Cayman islands and of course Swiss banks etc. And who are the culprits? The rich and the famous and the bold and the beautiful.

    DisAgree Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse


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