Bengal govt issues revised professional tax rates

Kolkata, Aug 21 (IANS) The West Bengal Finance Department on Friday issued revised professional tax rates for both salaried and self‑employed persons in the state.

As per the notification issued by State Finance Secretary Sanjaya Bansal, salaried persons earning up to Rs 20,000 a month are exempt from paying professional tax, doubling the previous ceiling of Rs 10,000.

In the new structure, salaried persons with monthly income above Rs 20,000 and up to Rs 30,000 will pay Rs 100 a month. Those earning between Rs 30,000 and Rs 50,000 will pay Rs 140 a month. Employees earning between Rs 50,000 and Rs 1,00,000 per month will pay Rs 170 a month, while those earning above Rs 1,00,000 per month will pay Rs 208 a month.

Self-employed individuals with annual income up to Rs 2,50,000 are exempt. Those earning between Rs 2,50,000 and Rs 5,00,000 will pay Rs 1,000 annually, while those with annual income up to Rs 20,00,000 will pay Rs 2,500 annually.

Businesses involved in essential commodities transport and public services are exempt from professional tax up to an annual turnover of Rs 10,00,000.

The government has invited objections or suggestions regarding the new tax structure within 14 days. Additionally, a one‑time tax of Rs 2,500 annually has been made mandatory for specific professions and businesses.

These include shops in shopping complexes and multiplexes, air‑conditioned eateries, beauty parlours, gymnasiums, nursing homes, diagnostic centres, petrol pumps, Information Technology Enabled Services (ITeS), cloud computing, data scientists, cybersecurity experts, OTT platform producers, online educators and digital marketing agency owners.

–IANS

src/dan