New Delhi: Amid the buzz of tax season, social media has become a platform for taxpayers to voice their grievances and share their tax-related concerns. A new contribution to this online discourse has resonated widely, as a viral post highlights the strife of the Indian salaried class when dealing with income tax returns. The post, originating from a user known as EngiNerd on the platform X (the rebranded Twitter), touches on several pain points experienced by taxpayers, including bureaucratic barriers and a lack of substantial benefits in times of joblessness. EngiNerd’s post delves into the emotional and financial toll faced by a segment of society that often feels overburdened by tax obligations.
EngiNerd, recognized for delivering unique perspectives on commonplace topics, laid bare the frustration with the current tax structure, pointing out the seeming imbalance in how taxpayers—particularly salaried individuals—are treated. According to his post, people find themselves paying up to 31.2 percent in taxes, resulting in a scenario where the amount contributed to the government’s coffers regularly surpasses personal spending. EngiNerd laments the lackluster returns provided on these contributions, saying, “The return on income tax paid is horrible in India, nowhere in this world is the salaried class exploited by the Government like this.”
“You pay lakhs of rupees in tax, and if you lose your job the next year, you don’t even get anything in return. You’re left stranded,” EngiNerd further emphasized, outlining the dire situation of those who suddenly find themselves without employment.
The post struck a chord with a wide audience, garnering an outpouring of reactions from social media users. Notable among these comments is one from Newton Bank Kumar, which points out the failure to adjust tax slabs for inflation over the past twelve years and the static state of the 80C limit. Another user aligned with EngiNerd’s observation, bringing a sense of absurdity to the forefront by revealing a tax notice received over a trivial 130 rupees dividend income.
Others like Dheeraj shared personal anecdotes, indicating the sheer amount of income tax paid—sometimes amounting to more than their own spending on themselves. The conversation reveals a collective concern over how taxpayers, who contribute significantly to India’s economy, remain a forgotten minority with little protection for their rights or recognition for their role in fiscal sustenance.
Echoing the sentiment of exploitation, EngiNerd concluded his post with a call to action: to grant income taxpayers certain privileges within government services, such as priority for railway ticket reservations and a more efficient handling of their concerns in government offices.
“But no, the government keeps 81 crore people dependent on free ration so that they keep voting, and the hardworking salaried class keeps getting exploited,” EngiNerd’s post culminates, a statement underlying the perceived imbalance in governmental priorities.
While the post may not present immediate solutions or change policies, it has undeniably struck a nerve and sparked a necessary debate about the adequacy and fairness of tax policies affecting millions of Indians. As tax season propels forward, posts such as EngiNerd’s act as a catalyst for dialogue and potential catalysts for change in the perception and treatment of India’s salaried taxpayers.
