Many people opt out using several core facilities and services offered by the state, and instead they rely on private sector service providers. However, all these people are expected to pay certain statutory tax to the state.  

·         Do you think it is right to exempt such people from the state’s tax net?

·         What criteria could be used to exempt people from paying tax?

Preferring private sector services to government offered ones is a matter of choice and, in my opinion, those who resort to such practices cannot be exempted from paying statutory tax; rather there are other measures to determine who is eligible for any tax exemption.

The prime point that supports my stance is that state as such is not a funding authority to satisfy all the needs of the people; rather what the state has as its revenue is the taxes people pay. Some of such taxes are statutory and some are conditional. In this respect, all citizens are expected to contribute their due shares so that the state will have adequate funds to carry out its responsibilities. All services people enjoy come under these, and it is people’s choice to appreciate it or not to.  

Fore example, the rich may be unhappy with the state run hospital facilities, but the majority depend solely on such hospitals and these facilities need regular funding which is generated out of the taxes citizens pay. Here, no many can stay off.

However, there are certain cases wherein tax exemption can be allowed. People who are recovering from the aftermaths of calamities, either manmade or natural, could be exempted for the time being. Secondly, it is right to free those differently abled people from paying taxes, for they are the unfortunate ones among the rest, and they deserve tax exemption.

It is right to conclude by reiterating the fact that appreciating a service offered by the state is optional. But paying certain taxes is not so. Tax exemption is for a few, and they deserve it as well. Statutory tax, in my opinion, is a duty of the citizenry. 

Ajaypeesdoc

280 words. 21.2.13