Paying taxes is equally important as demanding rights from govt., says actor Vijay Sethupathi

Actor Vijay Sethupathi speaking at the launch of Taxpayers Hub, organised by Income Tax Department, in Madurai on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: R. Ashok
Many taxpayers feel that they do not get anything in return for their sincerity in paying taxes to the government. This sentiment was echoed by actor Vijay Sethupathi who was participating in the inauguration of Taxpayers’ Hub at Madurai Convention Centre at Tamukkam on Wednesday.
In his brief chief guest address, Mr. Sethupathi stressed the importance of paying taxes. “We do put forth demands for our rights to the government. It is equally an important duty to pay the taxes,” he said.
Stating that he wanted to share something which had been nagging his mind for long, Mr. Sethupathi said people worked hard and paid their taxes. “But, if they get some benefit (in return for paying the taxes), it would be welcomed,” he said.
Such a benefit would help people, who had been good citizens in the past by promptly paying taxes, when they fell into bad times and lost their income generation and suffered economically.
Acknowledging the actor’s demand, H.B.S. Gill, Member (Tax Payer Services and Revenue), Central Board of Direct Taxes, said such a demand had been raised by taxpayers across the world.
He said there could not be any debate against the idea proposed by the actor. But, the only issue was to decide on how to go about implementing it.
Referring to the issue of tax-related details at the Taxpayers Hub being given only in English and Hindi, and not in Tamil, Mr. Gill said the CBDT would soon come up with its portal in regional languages.
He said the Taxpayers Hub was to bridge the trust deficit between the taxpayers and tax officers. The rate of tax had come down significantly to ensure more compliance. “Our tax rate has been world-wide competitive,” he said.
The Taxpayers Hub was built on the idea of ‘My contribution in developed India; My Income Tax is my responsibility,’ said Sanjay Rai, Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Madurai.
The taxpayers could know about their rights and responsibilities at the hub. I-T officials would be interacting with the taxpayers in the three-day programme that would be conducted till January 31. Games, quiz competitions and street plays would be held during the event. People could apply for PAN at the venue.
T. Vasanthan, Principal Commissioner of Income Tax – I, Madurai, was among those who spoke.
Published – January 29, 2025 07:33 pm IST
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