Falling consumption: Is a tweak or a direct reduction in income tax the need of the hour?
Abheek Barua, Independent Economist, says the issue lies with mass consumption, which doesn't just involve the very poor but mainly affects the lower middle class. Particularly, when income rises from Rs 15 lakh to over Rs 15 lakh, there is a significant increase in the tax rate. This is a point that could catch the finance minister's eye. Whether it's a small adjustment or a direct tax cut, it serves as a crucial fiscal measure to counter economic downturns. Barua anticipates some action in this area.
Consumption has taken a hit over the last few years. What are your expectations with respect to income tax tweaks that could come in in the Budget? Do you expect some relief? Sources, in fact, are telling us that perhaps some tweaks for lower income class could come in. Do you expect that, especially with the objective of boosting mass consumption?
Abheek Barua: I think you are spot on. The problem is with mass consumption and mass consumption does not refer to the absolute bottom of the pyramid, but really to the lower tiers of the middle class and especially when you move from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 15 lakh plus, there is a very large jump in the tax rate. That is one area that could get the finance minister's attention.
Perhaps compliance, procedure, streamlining does help to a point but in a situation where despite whatever the GDP numbers have shown this year, there is a problem of mass consumption, a reduction in the rate, whether you call it a tweak or a direct reduction, is an important counter cyclical fiscal
