Top taxpayers honoured in Salem

SALEM: The income tax department jointly organized an event with members of Salem branch of SIRC to honour the top taxpayers in the city, recently. The event was held to also create awareness among people about income tax.
Addressing the gathering, principal chief commissioner of income tax department (Tamil Nadu and Puducherry), R Ravichandran said that the central government fixed a target of Rs 1.08 lakh crore for income tax to be collected from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
“We have collected 53% till November 30,” Ravichandran said.
He added that Tamil Nadu and Puducherry stood at fourth spot in terms of tax collection in the country.
As far as Salem zone is concerned, around 67 lakh people were paying tax.
“The number of people paying tax has been increasing nearly 12 % every year,” the principal chief commissioner added.
Commissioner of income tax department, Rengarajan, commissioner of (administration) Palanivel Rajan too addressed the meeting.
Chairman of Salem branch auditor BA Shankar conducted an interactive session with the officials and the taxpayers. Shankar also made a special address during the occasion.
Joint commissioner Soumiya delivered the vote of thanks.