Govt. should raise minimum tax slab to Rs. 200,000 in view of high inflation: SJB

Thursday, 16 March 2023 01:26 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

SJB MP Eran Wickremaratne yesterday reiterated that the Government must raise the minimum tax threshold to Rs. 200,000, to provide relief to vulnerable groups. He noted that Rs. 100,000 was the minimum threshold in 2019 as well, but the cost-of-living situation has changed drastically due to inflation at almost 100%.

“Utility costs too have risen at over 100%, and people have been ‘pushed against the wall’ today. Rs. 100,000 is no longer a luxury salary and the purchasing power of people has been impacted drastically,” Wickremaratne told journalists. He noted that people are protesting today against the level of tax, as they can no longer make ends meet. “Who should be taxed at what rate is the question. Everyone should be treated equally, and additional burden not heaped on any one, especially vulnerable segments. The impacts should be similar. The government must intervene and provide relief to the people,” the SJB MP said.