Life tax on autos soon

Guntur: The transport department is waiting for software to collect life tax on auto-rickshaws in the state. According to orders issued by the government, the auto drivers would have to pay 2 per cent of cost of auto as life tax. Currently, the cost of auto is Rs 1 lakh and drivers would have to pay Rs 2,000. At present, they are paying Rs 440 as tax per year to the transport department. For old autos the life tax is less than 2 per cent. It is learnt the life tax will reduce tax burden on the 13 lakh auto drivers in the state.

As soon as the transport department gets software, it will conduct campaign on life tax and collect it through counters set up in E-Seva kendras, Mee Seva and online service centres. Following recommendations sent by the officials, the government issued ordinance to collect life tax on autos in the state recently. Based on that the higher officials are planning to collect the life tax.

A top official in the transport department on the condition of anonymity said the department is likely to get software in July 1st week. As soon as the software installed in all district offices, the department will collect life tax on autos.