Income Tax : A One Side Love Story

Income tax in India started in 1860, not because British loved Indians money, but because British Empire needed India’s money after the 1857 revolt to rule Indian.

So basically, income tax was born out of financial panic, not moral duty.

Fast forward to today, British left India but tax stayed. Just like the better half who comes in your life and promise to stay with you throughout your life.

Why Income Tax Exists ?

Government says: Roads, Schools, Hospitals, Defence, Welfare schemes.

Sounds noble right?

But it feels like an EMI of a penthouse home which you didn’t buy.

Tax is not donation. It’s a contract.
You pay, government delivers services.

Now the fun part: does it really deliver?

Is Income Tax Justified?

Let’s be fair.
Yes, tax is necessary.
Coz No country runs on WhatsApp forwards and nationalism alone.

But the question is not “Should we pay tax?”
The real question is “Are we getting value for money?”

When potholes look older than independence, and government hospitals need Google Maps to find doctors, justification becomes a joke.

People say:

“We pay more than 50% tax!”

Coz after paying your direct taxes, you pay GST on everything you buy, Fuel tax (hidden but deadly), Toll tax, Stamp duty, Road tax, Property tax

So while direct tax may be 30–35%, indirect taxes quietly eat the rest.

End result?
You earn → government takes first bite
You spend → government takes second bite

You invest → government takes third bite
You save → inflation eats the rest

May that’s the government version of Balanced Diet.

Middle class are actual the official Sponsor of the Nation

Poor people get subsidies & rich entrepreneurs find loopholes

But middle class gets a note from Income Tax department “Thank you for your contribution”

Salaried middle class pays tax before salary reaches bank.
No drama. No protest. Just silent suffering and EMI.

We are patriotic but not stupid.

How Taxpayer Money Is “Magically” Misused ?

Your tax money goes through a magical transformation:

1. Infrastructure project announced

2. Budget approved

3. Tender issued

4. Delay

5. Cost doubles

6. Road cracks before inauguration

7. Blame weather

8. Repeat

So you pay twice:

1. To government

2. To survive government failure

Some money also goes into:

• Giant hoardings with politician faces

• Free revadi before elections

• Buying MLA as in Great Indian Sales 

• “Tours” that look like vacations

This is not corruption. This is advanced redistribution.

Political parties say: “Public service is our duty”

But election in India says: “Spending public money is our hobby but please adjust with permanent marker as we cant afford indelible ink”.

No one knows exactly:

• Who donated how much

• Where money went

• Why accountability ends at election result

Even the oldest conglomerate once sold the ideology of “Desh ka Namak” has adapted the ideology of Quid Pro Quo.

Transparency is promised every five years. Delivery status pending.

You pay tax to:

• Get safety → hire private security

• Get healthcare → buy insurance

• Get education → pay private tuition fees

• Get roads → slow down for potholes

So What Should Change?

This blog is not “don’t pay tax.”
This blog is “ask questions.”

• Where is my money going?

• Why no accountability?

• Why honest taxpayers feel punished?

• Why corruption cases age better than wine?

Awareness is not anti-national, but blind obedience is.

Income tax in India began as an emergency tool.
Today it feels like a permanent subscription with bad customer service.

We don’t need tax-free India.
We need waste-free governance.

Until then, please file your return on time.

Sarcasm is free. Tax is not.