Central Government junks IRS Association report on reviving India’s economy post COVID 19

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New Delhi, April 26, 2020: The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has said today that there is some report circulating on social media regarding suggestions by a few IRS officers on tackling COVID-19 situation.
“It is unequivocally stated that CBDT never asked IRS Association or these officers to prepare such a report.  No permission was sought by the officers before going public with their personal views and suggestions on official matters, which is a violation of extant Conduct Rules. Necessary inquiry is being initiated in this matter. It is reiterated that the impugned report does not reflect the official views of CBDT/Ministry of Finance in any manner”, CBDT states in a press release.
Almost 50 young Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officers had submitted policy suggestions for reviving India’s economy, post COVID 19. “The paper FORCE by 50 young IRS officers suggesting policy measures had been forwarded by IRSA to CBDT for consideration. It does not purport to represent the official views of the entire IRS, or the IT Dept”, tweeted IRS Association.

The young officers have said in their report that economic growth can be strengthened by implementing the idea given by them and at the same time income can be increased from tax. They have recommended proposals to be implemented in the short term (3-6 months) and medium-term (9-12 months) to deal with the epidemic and increase revenue.

Higher taxes on the rich
Officials in their report have recommended higher tax on the rich. They have recommended increasing the existing slab of tax from 30 per cent to 40 per cent for people with revenue of more than Rs 1 crore for a limited period or a fixed time. Apart from this, it has been recommended to re-levy property tax on those with assets of more than five crore rupees.

Recommend benefits directly to the poor
In their report, the officials have recommended providing direct assistance of Rs 3000 to Rs 5000 per month to the people from economically weaker sections for six months. It has been recommended to give this amount to farmers, daily wage labourers and extremely low-income people. If this recommendation is accepted, then it will benefit 12 Crore people.

Tax on income of foreign companies in India
Officials recommended increasing the surcharge applicable to income from Indian offices or permanent establishments to foreign companies. At present, foreign companies have to pay a surcharge at the rate of two percent on earning from one crore to ten crore rupees from Indian business. At the same time, the surcharge has to be paid at the rate of five percent on income of more than Rs 10 crore.

COVID Relief Cess
IRS officials in their report have recommended the imposition of four percent ‘COVID Relief Cess’ on people with an annual income of Rs 10 lakh. It is recommended to levy this tax once.

Use of CSR Fund as a COVID Relief item
Officials believe that tax incentives should be increased for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities in this hour of crisis. They said that the salary that corporate companies are giving to the non-managerial staff at the time of COVID19 should be considered as CSR activity. Also, the amount deposited by companies in Chief Minister Relief Fund should be considered as CSR. This option has been recommended to be given in this financial year as well as in the next financial year.

Read IRS officers Report Here