What is Tax?

Tax, in general, is the imposition of financial charges upon an individual or a company by

the Government of India or their respective state or similar other functional equivalents in
a state. The computation and imposition of the varied taxes prevalent in the country are
carried on by the Ministry of Finances Department of Revenue. During the year of 2010
2011, the gross collection of tax amounted to around INR. 7.92 trillion, where the direct
tax has got 56 % contribution and the indirect tax has got 44 % contribution. In 2014-15
the gross tax collection was up by 5,46,661 crores or by a percentage of 12.93% as
compared to what is was in the fiscal year 2013-14.

Different Types of Taxes

Prevalence of various kinds of taxes is found in India. Taxes in India can be either direct
or indirect. However, the types of taxes even depend on whether a particular tax is being
levied by the central or the state government or any other municipalities. Following are
some of the major Indian taxes:
Direct Taxes
It is names so because it is directly paid to the Union Government of India. As per a
survey, the Republic of India has witnessed a consistent rise in the collection of such
taxes over a period of past years. The visible growth in these tax collections as well as the
rate of taxes reflects a healthy economical growth of India. Besides that, it even portrays
the compliance of high tax along with better administration of taxation. To name a few of
the direct taxes, which are imposed by the Indian Government are:
Banking Cash Transaction Tax
Corporate Tax
Capital Gains Tax
Double Tax Avoidance Treaty
Fringe Benefit Tax
Securities Transaction Tax
Personal Income Tax
Tax Incentives
Indirect Taxes
As opposed to the direct taxes, such a tax in the nation is generally levied on some
specified services or some particular goods. An indirect tax is not levied on any particular
organisation or an individual. Almost all the activities, which fall within the periphery of
the indirect taxation, are included in the range starting from manufacturing goods and
delivery of services to those that are meant for consumption. Apart from these, the varied
activities and services, which are related to import, trading etc. are even included within
this range. This wide range results in the involvement as well as implementation of some
or other indirect tax in all lines of business.
Usually, the indirect taxation in the Indian Republic is a complex procedure that involves
laws and regulations, which are interconnected to each other. These taxation regulations

even include some laws that are specific to some of the states of the country. The regime
of indirect taxation encompasses different kinds of taxes. The organizations offer services
in all or most of the related fields, some of which are as follows:
Anti Dumping Duty
Custom Duty
Excise Duty
Sales Tax
Service Tax
Value Added Tax or V. A. T.
Municipal or Local Taxes in India
The most known tax, which is levied by the local municipal jurisdictions on the entry of
goods, is known as the Entry Tax or the Octori Tax.
Income Tax
Income Tax in India includes all income except the agricultural income that is levied and
collected by the central government. This particular income is also shared with the states.
The Income Tax was incorporated in India from the year1860.
However, after many alterations, finally with the Indian Income Tax Act, 1922, there was
a revolutionary change brought by the All India Income Tax Committee. This is
significant as after this the administration of the Income Tax came under the direct
control of the Central Government. This Act got amended again in the year 1961, and the
present Income Tax regime in India is still following the provisions of the Act of 1961.
As per the Income Tax Act 1961, the assessee whose total income level is more than the
maximum exemption limit, are under the domain of chargeable Income Tax. The assessee
has to pay the Income Tax at the rates stated in the provisions of the Finance Act. The
payment of the Income Tax is to be calculated on the total income of the last year in the
relevant financial assessment year. For the determination of the total income of an
individual the residential status in India is a necessary parameter. Every Income Tax
payer should file Tax Return under the existing law.
Consumption Tax
Consumption Tax is applicable on the consumption of any type of good or service. This
particular tax is based on consumption and not on income or labor. The Consumption Tax
can be regarded as a sales tax, as this tax is also regressive in nature like the other pure
sales taxes. However, there are some remedies by which the Consumption Tax can be
made progressive in nature. Some of the methods for reducing the regressive trait of this
tax include use of exemptions, deductions, graduated rates, or rebates. This will in other
terms allow accumulation of savings exempting the tax burdens.
Dividend Tax
Dividend Tax is type of an income tax which is levied on the payments made as the
dividend to the shareholders of the company paying the tax. Dividends are the shares of
the profit of the company which are the given to the shareholders.

The controversy arises here because dividend is nothing but the part of the profit of the
company. The profit is the income of the company and a tax is paid on that income.
Again, when the dividend is paid to the shareholders, a dividend tax is levied on them and
so there is double taxation on the same income - once, tax is paid by the company and
then the shareholder pays the tax on the same amount as well.
The dividend tax has become one of the major issues of debate in the financial market.
Many of the countries are taking steps for abolishing the dividend tax as because the
double taxation is not considered good for the economy. The dividend tax also poses a
problem for the senior citizens and the retired personnel. Many financial experts are of
the opinion that dividend tax should be abolished in order to develop the economy and a
fair practice of taxation should be followed.
Endowment Tax
Over the years Indian companies have been asking for a break from endowment taxes so
that they can provide the institutions with more funds. Prominent businessmen like Rajan
Mittal, the Vice Chairman cum Managing Director of Bharati Enterprises have lent their
support towards giving business organizations 100 percent break from endowment taxes.
He has reasoned that this benefit is necessary so that companies could contribute towards
better research in the higher educational sector. His statements have found support from
other well known names in the Indian business fraternity such as Amit Mitra, who works
as the secretary general of the FICCI.
As of now, Indian companies can provide financial aid to educational institutions that are
located outside the country as they are operated by trusts. In India, trusts that run
educational set-ups can receive the benefit only if they are acknowledged as a section 25
organization as per the Income Tax Act or under the charities commissioner. Lot of
companies provide financial aid to international education institutes and the main reason
for this is the attitude of the Income Tax Department, which sees such transactions as tax
evasion exercises. These business houses also prefer to be transparent when it comes to
detailing the usage of funds spent by them.
Estate Tax of Inheritance Tax or Death Tax
Estate Tax, also referred as Death tax or Inheritance Tax, is gaining prominence with the
boom in the real estate market across the world. The Estate Tax rates vary widely across
countries all over the world.
It is recorded that Japan stands at the top offering a tax rate of 70%, followed by South
Korea (50%), the US (46%), and 40% for France and UK each. Along with India, there
are some other countries like China, Australia, Russia, and Malaysia, which do not levy
Estate tax. It should be noted that Estate Tax or Estate Duty which was earlier
incorporated in India in the year 1953, was taken away under the aegis of the then
Finance Minister, V.P. Singh in the year 1985. The economic growth and flourishing

capital markets in India have been generating an unprecedented boost for the Indian
promoters. Still not like the other advanced market economies of the world, there is no
Estate Tax in India. On the other hand, across the globe the Estate Tax, also known as the
Death Tax, is very important.
In general, the Estate Tax is payable on the economic value of the accumulated savings
and assets of a deceased person. This tax on Estate was framed with the objective to
prevent the inheritors from a rich family to enjoy too much privilege as compared to the
less advantageous in the society. The intention was to strike a balance and maintain intergeneration equity. On the other hand, many tax experts often ridicule this Estate Tax, as
this is difficult to assess and collect.
Flat Tax, also known as Flat Rate Tax
By Flat Tax or Flat Rate Tax it is indicated that the taxes on household income and
corporate profits are fixed at a constant rate. Generally household income below a
statutorily fixed level on the basis of the type and size of the household, are exempted
from paying Flat Taxes.
This type of Flat Taxes is not a proper Flat Tax as there is a discrepancy between the
taxable income and the total income. Taxation on consumption can also be labeled as a
Flat Tax. In the advanced economies, a tax is payable on the incomes of the households
and corporate profits, as a result of which Flat Tax is not very common in these nations.
The United States have initiated a quick move to reform its tax system as under the
present condition of competition in the global economy the jobs and capital flow to with
the initiation of better tax law. The nine countries of the former Soviet Bloc have taken up
versions of the Flat Tax, which has been yielding excellent results for the growth and
development of the respective economies.
In general, a Flat Tax is simple, fair, and sets a necessary parameter for the growth of a
state economy. Flat Tax requires only two forms of postcard size, one for labor income
and the other for business and capital income. Flat Tax provides equal treatment to all the
taxpayers without any discrimination based on the source, use, and level of income. This
is also beneficial, as Flat Tax would reduce marginal tax rates and abolish the tax bias
against all forms of saving and investment. However, even this Flat Tax is not free from
loopholes as the households on the basis of family sizes get an exemption from paying
the stipulated tax.
Fuel Tax
Fuel tax is also called as petrol tax, gas tax, gasoline tax, or fuel duty. The fuel tax is a
type of a sales tax which is imposed on the sale of fuel. The fuel tax is one of the
important factors pertaining to taxation in many countries.
The fuel tax in some countries is mostly hypothecated to roadways and transportation
facilities such as in United States. The fuel tax in several other countries is regarded as

the source of general type of revenue income. The fuel tax is mostly imposed on the fuel
which is used for the purpose of transportation and not imposed on fuel used for the
purpose of running agricultural vehicles, used as heating oil in households and other non
transportation uses.
The demand for petrol is not very elastic in nature, so the fuel tax will regarded as a
revenue generating source in the short run of the economy but as time passes, in the long
run as per the theory of the experts, the populace would lower the consumption of fuel by
the means of mass transit systems, fuel economic transport facilities, alternative source of
fuel, etc and the sale of the fuel would fall, bringing down the tax revenue on the fuel.
Some of the environmentalists are thinking of the idea of introducing fuel tax as a method
of checking the pollution due to the burning of fossil fuels.
Gift Tax
Gift tax in India is regulated by the Gift Tax Act which was constituted on April 1, 1958.
It came into effect in all parts of the country except Jammu and Kashmir. As per the Gift
Act 1958, all gifts in excess of Rs. 25,000, in the form of cash, draft, check or others,
received from one who doesn't have blood relations with the recipient, were
taxable. More about Gift tax
Sales Tax
Sales tax is levied when goods are sold or bought within a country or a state. More about
sales tax
S. E. T. or Self Employment Tax
Self-employment tax (SET) is a type of a taxation pertaining to the social security tax and
the medicare tax for the individuals those who are self employed, i.e., the people engaged
in business or commercial activity of some kind which is legally approved by the
Governmental authorities. The concept of self-employment tax is more or less similar to
the social security tax and the medicare tax which is withhold from the monthly income
of the professionals engaged in any kind of services under the private or the public sector.
The employers of most of the working professionals calculate the social security tax and
the medicare tax of the concerned person.
Social Security Tax
Social Security Tax is a popular concept in the United States of America. The Social
Security Tax is a benefit scheme for the employees after their retirement from work.
The social security tax is contributed in two parts - a part of the monthly income of the
employee is deducted at source and another part is contributed on a monthly basis by the
employer under whom the employee is working. The total sum of money makes up the
social security tax. The social security tax benefits are financed with the help of the tax
levied on the employee's income. In case of a self-employed person, the contribution for

the social security tax is made entirely by the person himself. The social security tax is
levied under the norms of the United States Social Security Act of 1935, which was set
up for the purpose of providing national social insurance in order to provide economic
security to employees in the United States.
The social security tax programs are popular in India in the name of Provident Fund. The
concept of the Provident Fund is similar to the social security tax programs. Provident
Funds are of different types such as Public Provident Fund, General Provident Fund, and
Employee's Provident Fund. The General Provident Fund is provided to the employees of
the central government, the Public Provident Fund is provided by the State Bank of India,
the largest commercial bank in India for the employees of the state government, and the
Employee's Provident Fund is also provided by the State Bank of India, for the private
sector employees.
Transfer Tax
Transfer Tax in other words implies the tax imposed on the handing over of the title of
property ownership by one person to another. It incorporates a legal transaction fee,
which is involved with the title to property being transferred from one to another.
This tax is not very common form of taxation and is imposed where the registration of the
transfer involves a legal requirement. Such are generally found to be associated with
transfers of real estate, shares, or bond. Although Stamp Duty and the Real Estate
Transfer Tax are examples of the Transfer Tax, it should be noted that the fees paid to the
notaries during any legal jurisdictions are not treated as transfer tax.
Payroll Tax
Payroll tax is one of the important concepts in taxation. Payroll tax comprises of 2 types
of taxes. The Payroll tax may follow a fixed rate format or the rate may be directly
proportional to the income or wage of the employee. More about payroll tax
Poll Tax
In India, Poll Tax is similar to the road tax on vehicles, but it should be noted that this tax
is not very popular here. However, in the year 2002, it was decided by the Minister for
Transport that the Poll Tax on all-India tourist vehicles entering the state of the Jammu
and Kashmir would be Rs. 2,000 per day per vehicle.
Property Tax
The property taxes in India are normally imposed on the yearly value of the taxable
assets. In case the income is rental, it will be subjected to the tax rates applicable for
income from housing property.
If the property is held for professional or business reasons then the profits from the same
will be subjected to taxes:

Property Tax Deductions

In India deductions from property taxes are provided in the following cases:

If 30% of the yearly value of the house has been used for maintenance and repairs

If the property has been bought, repaired, established, or renewed using loans. If
the house has been remade using borrowed money then the interest paid on the same will
be exempted from property taxes.
Concept of Deemed Owner
In few cases the assessee may not actually own the property but may be regarded as a
deemed owner. In such instances, the assessee will be regarded as the property's owner
and income generated from that property will be subjected to property taxes.

The following cases are regarded as being instances of deemed owners:

If an individual has handed over any property for a small compensation or has
gifted it to a minor child or spouse. However, transfers to married daughters will not be
considered.
Any individual who conforms to the provisions in the Section 53A of the Transfer
of Property Act will be considered a deemed owner. This section focuses on situations
whereby a building has been transferred but there is no proper registered agreement to
document the transaction.
Owners of impartable estates are regarded as possessors of such property.
If an individual has leased a property for a minimum period of 12 years he or she
will be regarded as a deemed owner.
Members of co-operative societies, companies and other associations who have
been assigned a real estate property as per a house building scheme are considered as
deemed owners.
Self Occupied Property
A property is regarded as a self owned one under the following circumstances:
If the property or a part of the same is owned for residential purposes
If the property or a certain portion of it is being used for business and professional
reasons and the owner has to stay at another location
Co-owners
If a property is co-owned by 2 or more people the following factors come into play while
deciding on the tax amount:
If the co-owners have definite and clear shares they will not be regarded as an
association
The share of every individual who makes an income from the property will be
included in the aggregate income of the co-owners.
Wealth Tax

Wealth tax is normally levied on the basis of the net wealth of the assessee, which could
be an individual, a company or a Hindu Undivided Family. More about wealth tax - See
more at: http://business.mapsofindia.com/india-tax/types/#sthash.iExjq3D7.dpuf