Sales tax to fill state's coffers

HYDERABAD: Sales tax continues to top the state's largest source of income with an estimated contribution of Rs 31,838 crore of the state's estimated total collection of Rs 47,420 crore this fiscal. In 2009-10, the sales tax collections were a modest Rs 23,640 crore.
Meanwhile, the overall state's own revenue collections this fiscal are estimated to cross Rs 47,420 crore against Rs 35,176 recorded in 2009-10.Other contributing departments are the state excise with Rs 7,912 crore, Rs 2,778 crore from taxes on motor vehicles, Rs 3,600 from stamps and registration, Rs 145 crore from land revenue, Rs 264 crore as electricity duty and Rs 343 crore from other taxes and duties this fiscal.
Even the Andhra Pradesh Tax on Professions, Trades, Callings and Employments Act has shown significant contribution to the state exchequer with an impressive collection of Rs 540 crore this fiscal against Rs 430 crore in 2009-10.
Though the contributions have been small, the growth has been significant for the tax collectors to sit and take note of this sector, as the collections have improved steadily over the past five years, an official said.
The Act provides for the levy of tax on persons engaged in any profession, trade, calling or employment in the state at rates as low as Rs 60 per month for people earning more than Rs 5,000 per month, and a maximum of Rs 200 per month for those earning more than Rs 20,000 per month.
The department of mines and minerals is the single largest contributor to the exchequer under the state's own non-tax revenue collections with an estimated contribution of Rs 2,695 crore against Rs 1,887 last fiscal.
The total state's own non-tax revenue collection this fiscal is expected to be Rs 11,110 crore with Rs 109 crore from forests, Rs 245 crore as interest receipts, Rs 194 cr from education, Rs 80 crore from health, and Rs 7,787 crore from others.