Citizens evade taxes because the services provided from the govt are below standard
PESHAWAR: Tax plays a pivotal role in a country’s economy. It is incumbent upon all citizens to pay taxes. At the same time, it is the government’s responsibility to prudently utilise revenues generated from taxes and to provide good quality services to all citizens. They need to uphold the basic rights of the people.
Citizens in the developed countries pay taxes because the government provides good quality services to people. There the government performs its duty effectively. As a result, the quality of education and health services is immensely better and commendable.
On the other hand, citizens of developing countries evade taxes because the services they get from the government are below standard. The incumbent government has repeatedly laid emphasis on taxes and considered it vital for the economy. Here a question arises, is the government able to provide good quality services in return for taxes? In today’s world, the people are well aware of what’s happening all around the world. They know that governments of developed countries are providing top notch services and hence they want the same from their own government in return for paying taxes. The miserable people of Pakistan are blamed for evading taxes. Why would the people be willing to pay taxes knowing that they won’t get the desired services? The government remains unable to provide quality education and health services which are as important as sustenance to a human body. Moreover, the people have lost trust in their leaders who have used their money for creating their own wealth.
Therefore, in order to regain the lost trust, the government should provide top notch services for the taxes that have been collected so far. Only then will the people be satisfied.
Hammad Khalil
Published in The Express Tribune, September 20th, 2019.
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