KHADC to introduce online payment of professional tax

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 12, 2020

The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has decided to introduce online payment of professional tax.

After a review meeting held on Friday, Executive Member in-charge Taxation Paul Lyngdoh told reporters that the issue related to the revenue loss due to irregular payment of professional tax was discussed in the meeting.

“The Council is incurring a revenue loss of more than 50 per cent and it may also go up to 60-65 per cent,” Lyngdoh said.

The KHADC is implementing the Meghalaya Professions, Trades, Callings and Employment Taxation Act and collects tax from the four districts East Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi District, South West Khasi Hills and West Khasi Hills.

The EM informed a committee has been formed under the chairmanship of deputy secretary Henry Syiem for working on the modalities to computerize the department.

“The committee has been given a one month time to propose the modalities to transform the department. Once, the department is IT- enabled, we expect that the leakage and non-compliance of tax payers to pay tax will substantially be brought down till we achieve cent per cent compliance which is the goal of the department”, Lyngdoh said.

He said the department has proposed to improve internet services in the Council adding there will be people who will handle the data entry as the database will include all trades/callings.

“Once we compile all the details in the data base, the compiled database will be the basis where we will be able to realize the tax money from the tax payers.”

Asked, the EM informed that Rs 8, 94, 98,770 was collected as professional tax during the year 2019-20.

“If there was total compliance, the amount will be double or more than double”, Lyngdoh said.