Budget 2025: Reduce Income Tax Rates Exceptionally High Compared to Other Countries, Says Assocham

1. Introduction

In this section, introduce the upcoming Budget 2025, which is expected to be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, 2025. Highlight the anticipation surrounding the budget and the significant tax reforms that may be introduced. Mention Assocham‘s call for reducing personal income tax rates, which is one of the key expectations from the business and industry groups in Budget 2025.

2. Current State of Personal Income Tax in India

Here, discuss the existing personal income tax rates in India, which remain some of the highest globally. Under the old tax regime, the highest personal income tax rate stands at 42.744%, while the new tax regime has a maximum rate of 39%. In contrast, the corporate tax rate in India is significantly lower at 25.17%, creating a wide gap between the taxes paid by individuals and corporations. Emphasize that these high personal tax rates are considered a major issue, particularly in Budget 2025, and Assocham has highlighted the need for reductions to align with global standards.Read more about Budget

3. How India’s Tax Rates Compare Globally

In this section, compare India’s high personal income tax rates with those of other countries. For instance, Hong Kong has a maximum tax rate of 15%, Sri Lanka has 18%, Bangladesh has 25%, and Singapore has 22%. This comparison reveals that India’s tax rates are exceptionally high compared to its neighbors and other global tax regimes. The stark contrast between India’s high personal tax rates and lower corporate tax rates has led to discussions about how the government should address these disparities in Budget 2025.

4. The Impact of High Personal Tax Rates

This section outlines the negative effects of India’s high personal income tax rates. As the gap between corporate tax and personal tax widens, individuals and businesses are incentivized to restructure their operations. Many business owners are shifting from sole proprietorships to corporate models to benefit from the lower corporate tax rate. This shift undermines individual tax compliance and leads to complexities in the tax system. The Budget 2025 should aim to reduce this gap to encourage better compliance and prevent such tax avoidance strategies.

5. Assocham’s Recommendations

Here, explain Assocham’s recommendations for Budget 2025, which suggest reducing personal income tax rates to improve tax compliance and attract more investments. According to Assocham, the government should take steps to simplify the tax system for individuals and align India’s tax rates with other global economies. Reducing personal tax rates would make India a more attractive destination for skilled professionals and entrepreneurs, which is an important consideration for the government in Budget 2025.

6. Potential Benefits of Lowering Personal Tax Rates

Discuss the potential benefits of reducing personal income tax rates in Budget 2025:

• Increased tax compliance: Lower tax rates could encourage more people to file taxes, boosting revenue.
• Simplified tax structure: By streamlining the tax system, it would be easier for individuals to comply with their tax obligations.
• Boosting economic activity: Lower taxes can stimulate consumer spending, investment, and overall economic growth.
• Attracting and retaining talent: Competitive tax rates would make India more attractive to skilled professionals, further driving innovation and economic development.

7. Conclusion

In the conclusion, recap Assocham’s recommendations to reduce personal income tax rates in Budget 2025. Reiterate the importance of aligning India’s tax policies with global standards to make the country more competitive, encourage greater compliance, and promote business growth. Conclude by urging the government to take these concerns into account when crafting the Budget 2025, with an eye toward reducing the disparity between personal and corporate tax rates.

8. FAQs (Optional)

In this section, answer some frequently asked questions related to the Budget 2025 and the personal tax rate issues:

• Why are personal tax rates higher than corporate tax rates in India?
  • Explain the historical context and the shift toward incentivizing businesses with lower tax rates while personal income tax has remained high.
• How will lowering income tax rates benefit the economy?
  • Discuss the potential benefits, such as boosting compliance, simplifying the system, and encouraging economic growth.
• What is the significance of Budget 2025 in addressing these issues?
  • Explain how Budget 2025 presents an opportunity for the government to address the disparities in tax rates and create a fairer, more balanced tax system.

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