Apna Tax Scheme of Punjab Government

Punjab Government in its Budget for 2016-17 presented on 15-03-2016 had promised to launch apna tax scheme. The Purpose is to encourage customers to procure bills from retail vendors which would ensure tax compliance in a systematic, non-intrusive and non-regulatory manner.

Features of the scheme:

1.    App can be downloaded from Google play or pextax.com

2.    Upload the bill details on the app

3.    Chance to win 5 times the value of bill (excluding Vat and Tax free goods). A person can win cash prize up to Rs. 50,000/-

4.    Monthly draw of prized on 15^th of the month for entries from Ist day to last day of the month.

5.    Min number of cash prizes = 10

6.    First draw on 15^th of the August

Issues:

1.       Most of the items being procured by customers from retail vendors are covered under first point taxation and are tax free in the hands of retail vendors being subsequent dealers under First Point taxation Scheme. So, how the objective of the scheme shall be met ?

2.       Whether all the bills uploaded by the customers shall be verified for accuracy by the government.

3.       Shops like Walmart  can not sell in retail ,so, their bills shall remain excluded.

4.       How the government shall determine that goods have been purchased from retail vendor.

5.       Right now, not available on Google play store or pextax.com.

6.       Retail vendors do not enter bill wise detail in their returns, then how shall this scheme work.