sparklingway
SENIOR MEMBER
- Joined
- May 12, 2009
- Messages
- 3,878
- Reaction score
- 0
India has introduced VAT in 2005. VAT or no VAT, tax evasion is still possible and the trading community in India have found ways to avoid taxation. I doubt that introducing VAT will solve Pakistan's taxation problems. It is just one of the tools to block loopholes and limit the opportunity given to tax evaders.
VAT generated income to the GoP is a plus but I am not sure if the numbers add up and GoP will be able to reduce its bulging fiscal deficit.
Our low tax revenue to GDP ratio is primarily because small business owners defy income tax, and nearly everybody defies property tax and capital value tax.
It's a social problem, especially entrenched in the middle class. Never participate in the political process but complain ! Never vote but ask for accountability ! Never pay taxes yet ask for social service !
Indirect taxation is the norm for the state then. Out tax woes have been discussed in many forums already. Also, India isn't far ahead. Your tax revenue to GDP ratio are still extremely poor. (this is not a India vs Pakistan debate but just mentioning this as most developing nations are facing similar problems but South Asia faces this problem extremely, maybe because of a culture of living for free on the tax money of others)