Apropos your editorial, "More Billionaires in Your Neighbourhood" (ET 29/7/26), it makes for an interesting and satisfying read as prosperity is increasing all around. However, a broader tax net, coupled with faster real wage growth, is a realistic position and the need of the hour amid widening inequality daily, fleecing inflation and an unbearable cost of living due to an all-around price increase, figuratively speaking, from salt to camphor. Progress of IT administration is admirable but the spirit behind the tax reforms—to make them more rational and sensible, keeping the intent in letter and spirit as intended by the Budgetary policies and the FM's recent remarks—does not appear visible in the practice of not refunding the eligible refunds. Instead, refunds are being adjusted against tax demands previously raised even a decade ago and kept in abeyance without resolving them based on their merits, the genuine reasons presented to the department, or ignoring the department's own policy regarding not reopening cases pending beyond a certain prescribed period, and disregarding the honesty and integrity of taxpayers based on past records. Making tax compliance friendlier, simpler, and more equitable—and, above all, collecting taxes at source without requiring returns up to a cutoff point, if possible—makes more sense and is more pragmatic given the voluminous growth in transactions and earnings spread through enhanced digital payments, and the vast employment of people enjoying the trickle-down effect of income distribution from more millionaires and billionaires. It is time to re-examine the filing of returns if income consists only of salary, pension and interest from deposits.
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