Karnataka Assembly passes Professional Tax Amendment bill
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Monday passed the Karnataka Tax on Professions, Trades, Callings and Employments (Amendment) Bill, 2026, aimed at simplifying compliance and reducing procedural burden on taxpayers.
Explaining the provisions, state Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said in the assembly that the amendment seeks to remove the requirement of filing returns after payment of professional tax, while retaining the existing flat rate structure.
“Once they pay Rs 2,500, there is no need to file returns again. It is a flat rate—Rs 2,500,” he said.
The Minister noted that professional tax is constitutionally mandated, with a ceiling of Rs 2,500 annually for individuals earning above Rs 25,000.
“Regardless of their income, the amount to be paid is only Rs 2,500,” he said.
He pointed out that despite paying the fixed amount, taxpayers were earlier required to file returns, leading to avoidable compliance burden. “For that, a chartered accountant has to prepare it. Our staff have to verify it. This results in wastage of time and creates an unnecessary compliance burden on people,” he said.
Gowda said the amendment aligns legal provisions with technological changes already introduced.
“Once Rs 2,500 is paid, there will be no further need to file returns. We are making provisions for this in the law as well,” he said.
He further said exemptions have been extended not only from tax payment but also from filing returns for certain categories.
“Senior citizens, those serving in the armed forces, and persons with disabilities. Now we are also removing the requirement of filing returns for them,” he said.
Highlighting the objective, the Minister said the move would improve governance and public convenience. “This will lead to ease of governance, ease of compliance, reduce unnecessary burden on people, and cut down unnecessary paperwork,” he said.
“With this simplification, it will be beneficial to the public. With this objective, we have brought this amendment,” he added.
Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, R Ashoka, welcomed the bill.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Modi should leverage his ties with world leaders to de-escalate war in West Asia: Omar Abdullah
Jammu (PTI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said India can play a meaningful role in de-escalation in West Asia, given Prime Minister Narendra Modi's strong relations with the warring countries and their neighbours.
He said Pakistan was leveraging ties with Iran and the United States, and that any effort towards ending the war should be welcomed.
"As I said in the House (Assembly), we would like the war to end as soon as possible. The role that the prime minister can play may not be possible for anyone else because of his good relations with all these countries," Abdullah told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
He, however, said any escalation would not be easy to manage.
"Any such move by US President Donald Trump, despite the long history of Iran resisting external domination, would not be easy," the chief minister said.
Asked about Pakistan mediating in the war, he said, "I will simply say that if any country can play a role in preventing this war, no one should have any objection to it."
He added, "I will repeat what I said … our prime minister has good and close relations with all countries — whether it is Israel, the United States, Iran, or the countries around Iran. If those relationships can be used to make some progress and help ease the situation, it would be a good thing."
Abdullah said attacks by terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed in India, as suggested by a report from the United States, are not unlikely.
Meanwhile, he asserted that any efforts to end the war, be it from Pakistan, must not be resisted.
"Pakistan is using its good relations with Iran and the United States to its advantage, and it has done so. How can we object to that? If that angle helps in stopping the war, would you want them not to act and let the war continue? We want the war to stop. If any country can play a role in that, it should. And if we can play an even better role, then we should do so," he said.
On unemployment in J-K, the chief minister said the issue cannot be resolved overnight, and government jobs alone are not the solution.
He stressed the need to explore alternative avenues, highlighting the importance of Mission Yuva in promoting entrepreneurship.
"Mission Yuva provides not just funding but also support in preparing DPRs and post-startup assistance, such as marketing. In just nine months, distributing Rs 1,000 crore and approving numerous schemes is a significant achievement," he said.
Abdullah credited the coordination between the government and Jammu and Kashmir Bank for the scheme's progress.
