Taxes on cars
I just want to address a few things regarding taxes on cars. If after reading Mr. Ayub's letter you thought that in Texas or in the US people do not pay taxes when purchasing a vehicle, then you have been completely misled. In Texas or US, regardless if it is old or new, you have to pay tax (which is based on the price of the car) at the time of purchase. And that is just the beginning of taxes.
One of the most popular post purchase tax is Fuel Tax; it is a tax that is added to the price of fuel, so if your car runs on oil then for every gallon or litre of oil that you pump into your car you are automatically paying the taxes. On average in the US, for every litre of fuel one pays 12 US cents (this includes both State Tax and Federal Tax). And wherever there isn't a tax there is a fee (e.g. road and bridge fee, oil disposal fee, tire disposal fee, just to name a few).
Now about income tax, let's think logically, can a person making Tk. 8,000/- annually really afford a car? I do not believe it is remotely possible. Also, does the government really tax anyone making Tk 8,000/- or less? Of course not. That would be insane. Even in the US, an individual making less than $9,000 is not required to file taxes, so why would anyone living on less than Tk 8,000/- be expected to pay taxes? Moreover, the refund that you are talking about happens only when an individual paid more taxes than they should have; an individual applied and qualified for credits and/or deductions; or if the government declares a stimulus payment. Ask a local accountant for more information regarding refunds on taxes.
In essence, I understand that some people are upset or outraged over the increase of tax, but let's face it. Bangladesh is not the only country that has imposed taxes on vehicles.
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