The ascendency of India as an economic world power

When it comes to cricket, Sachin Tendulkar is the richest man. India may be a poor country but Sachin Tendulkar is richer than any cricketer in Australia or England. He may be the richest cricketer but he is not a fan of tax officials. It is nothing uncommon in India.

 Many rich persons do not like to pay tax in India and famous celebrities often make the media headlines for their attempt to evade tax. So, I am not surprised at all to see that there is accusation against Sachin Tendulkar about tax evasion.

Indian Express reported:

Sachin Tendulkar, Indian cricket’s superstar, may have had little luck with the willow in recent times, but before he can silence his critics, he will have to face up to an unexpected googly from the Comptroller Auditor General of India (CAG). In a performance audit of the Centre’s direct tax collections, the country’s apex auditor has raised serious objections to ‘irregular’ income tax exemptions granted to Tendulkar on close to Rs 9 crore earned via foreign remittances from the assessment year 1998-99 to 2004-05. The ‘irregular’ exemptions resulted in the master batsman being taxed almost Rs 3.62 crore less than his actual tax liability. Tendulkar is not alone — the CAG has pointed out similar exemptions granted to Indian cricket’s original little master, Sunil Gavaskar.

The bad news for Sachin Tendulkar is that his performance in cricket is falling down and that is why there will be hardly anyone who will come forward supporting him. Instead, many people will feel that since Sachin Tendulkar is the richest cricketer in the world, he should pay taxes regularly and should not get exemption.

I feel that cricketers should not pay any tax for the money they earn from their respective boards for playing in matches. They should pay taxes for the earning from commercial endorsements and sponsorship.

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Tax exemptions of Tendulkar, Gavaskar faulty: CAG