Tuesday, December 1, 2009

death and taxes are certain

It is said, death and taxes are certain.
Well, why not use one against the other.
When we all know that death is certain, while also taxes, it may be advisable to invest in taxes, to defeat death.
While we pay taxes, do business, all and sundry, there is not certainty (atleast as much death and taxes) that it will last (how the mighty have fallen), to give consistent returns to our children.
Every investment is subject to a certain decree of risk. Investments may get dried up, due to contingencies, eroding the capital.
What else can be the safest investment? which company/investment house, can guarantee consistent returns? Which company has assets to last? which entity would not run away with our money?
DIRECT TAXES:
I understand that it can the tax department (read company). While the capital / principal investment would always be the property of the government (after payment of tax – no risk of depletion), a consistent . . . . say may be 1% p.a. (considering standard interest rates across the globe – subject to correction) for the next 100 years . . . . from the date of payment . . . or from the year of the assessment of tax . . . . may be the best initiative for us to, MOST honestly and to our maximum ability to pay taxes, and ask the government to honour every tax paying citizen (not just the elite few) by returning what they have contributed, in the form of yearly return, free of taxes and protected from attachments (like the PPFs, etc..). So when everything around us falls, the past deeds of proper payment of taxes, would ensure / give the guarantee of lifetime (100 years includes after death too) for consistent returns. An ordinary citizen / consumer, normally ends up paying the maximum tax, which if properly computed, may show that it is more than is lifetime savings. . . . then why not encash it . . . . . evolve it . . . . to counter benefit . . . and ensure prompt payment . . . prompt assessment . . .etc . . .etc.
I PROPOSE A PAYMENT OF 1% p.a. return as interest on gross tax paid by every citizen . . . . for the next 100 years by the tax dept. (to the assessee and his family) . . .which would ensure while everything (read investment / business) has collapsed around him . . . his honest in payment of taxes would help him sustain. . . .
Indirect taxes:
We do not realize, that while tax authorities with all the mighty power of raid, search and seizure (may be successfully or may be unsuccessfully) may have collected “X” amount of tax…. Well . . . . . it is sorry state of affairs, . . . . but for the population of our country . . . they may be out numbered . . . . may be more often than not . . . many may escape . . . .
It is not the duty of every citizen to help the tax men. . . . does not the tax dept. give incentive to people helping unearth tax evasions . . . rumoredly a 10 or 20% of the collection . . . but still there is unrest with the people and the depts..
It may be beneficial / transparent / simple . . . .and most advisable to engage the services of 100 crore Indians, to help and assist the taxmen. . . . . by giving a 1% p.a. of their contribution . . . . . Yes, it is the ordinary citizen of the country who purchases . . . food grains . . . consumer articles, groceries, vehicles, . . . . and contribute to the national exchequer in the form of central excise, import duty, sales tax ( central and state), VAT, service tax, levies, etc. . . . .See annexure – I for the rate . . . A price of 1/= product is built with not less than 10 – 50 % of taxes, more often than not . . . . .
Who pays . . . it is not the entrepreneur . . . . but the citizen (end consumer as everything is passed on to him/her). . . .and he does not insist for a bill / receipt. Why . . . he considers it of no use . . . . unfortunately . . . . . but if a incentive of 1% p.a. of his contribution is calculated . . . . . . and he required to lodge the bill for claiming his contribution . . . .by producing a receipt . . . there would be a self check mechanism. . . . . by not less than 100 crore citizens . . . . keeping a vigilant check on the economy .. . . .
I PROPOSE A PAYMENT OF 1% p.a. return as interest on gross of all tax under various heads . . . paid by every citizen on purchase or use of goods and services . . . . for the next 100 years by the tax dept. (to the assessee and his family) . . .which would ensure that while everything (read investment / business) has collapsed around him . . . his honest in payment of taxes would help him sustain. . . . and also ensure there is no evasion . . . at any point . . . it will be like 100 crore taxmen . . . . working 24 X 7. . . . at a salary / incentive of 1% p.a. of what they contribute. . . . . .
Ofcourse, it may look tedious (time, money and concept) on working out the above plan . . . . but after having spent 50 years on other methods . . . . 5 years may be spent on trying to build a network of 100 crore . . . taxmen . . . . also to create awareness . . . cut out corruption . . . . etc. . . . . etc. . . . . etc. . . . . etc. . . . . etc. . . . . etc.
. . . . . . any ideas . . . . . improvements . . . .additions . . . . deletions . . . .

4 comments:

  1. Not convinced enough on the Logic. We have other important issues like Poverty which the government needs to address first. Indias richness in poverty needs to changed. If every one stops hoarding money and start paying taxes properly for few years the Government would have enough to address Poverty issues.

    The next big thing the Government needs to focus is on the deficit budget which it is wedded to. Once the deficit is tackled...the issue of clearing debts comes into picture.

    When the Government has so many issues concerning funds, it is unlikely the government would give away any of the taxes that one might have paid so far.

    Only when the government wants to fuel the economy, it would consider such a move as part of stimulus package. Since our govt did not do anything like this during the global economic crisis, I dont see that happening in future.

    Though Death and Taxes are certain, Chartered Accountants and the loopholes in the Tax Laws might, in some cases, allow a person to avoid or minimize Tax. But no one can manipulate death. It is the only guest in our life which comes without notice and consumes us.

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  2. It consists of an accounting of everything you own or have certain interests in at the date of death.

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  3. 10% tax on everybody FLAT in form of TDS. No returns to be filed.
    Cocentrate on High Net worth People. No use wasting time & energy on every entry. Use of PAN on all Expances should be Mandatory.Every body should contribute for nation building.All contactors & officers mking payments for substandard works must be in JAIL for 5 years.
    Import Best Technology & make World Class infra structure that works for 25 years.
    bk

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  4. Awesome work.Just wanted to drop a comment and say I am new to your blog and really like what I am reading.Thanks for the share

    ReplyDelete