Taxes for a better future

How to become Rich:

The above book, which sold like hot cakes, was written by the Economic Consultant Prof. Mahinda Dhanawardena.

One day Gunadasa, who was returning home after his business affairs, bought a copy. No sooner he reached home he began to read the book and finished reading it within a few hours. Many were the factors adduced in the book how to start from humble beginnings and become rich quickly. A great admiration for the author grew in Gunadasa's mind and he looked at the back cover of the book that contained a photograph of Prof. Dhanawardena with his telephone number. Gunadasa went to sleep with the thought, 'Must give him a call early morning tomorrow.'

Early morning he took a call to Mahinda Dhanawardena.

"Are you the author of 'How to Become Rich?'" Gunadasa asked respectfully.

"Yes, yes. Who's speaking there please?"

"I am one Gunadasa. Actually, Sir, your book is excellent. I am so glad about it. I was wondering whether you have advised to get into politics, some Provincial Council or some place like that. But this seems to be a serious book, Sir."

Dhanawardena laughed aloud.

"You know, the best way to get rich is to enter politics, but, of course, all can't do that.

"The only fault I saw in the book, Sir, is that there is no discussion about the problem of income tax."

Dhanawardene was so jubilant that he would have embraced Gunadasa if he was nearby because he was the only person who commended the book.

"About this question of income tax, Mr. Gunadasa, you can get all the information in a jiffy if only you consult any officer in the Income Tax Department. Their only job is to look out for the fish that swallows the bait".

Mahinda Dhanawardene disclosed that he has a good friend in the Income Tax Department.

"If you want I can give you his telephone number. If you give him a call you can get all the information. Just mention my name..."

"Oh Sir, please give me the number."

Mr. Gunadasa noted down the telephone number of a person called Brahmaputra, thanked Dhanawardene and finished the conversation.

It was nine o'clock. Mr. Brahmaputra must be in office by now. Gunadasa took a call to the number given to him by Dhanawardene and said that he needs some information about income tax and that he got the telephone number from Prof. Mahinda Dhanawardene, the author of 'How to Become Rich'.

"Ask anything mister... we are there to help you. Have you got an income tax file?"

"So far I don't have such a thing..."

"Ok, but what do you want to know from us, Mr. Gunadasa?"

"Sir, if you lease out a five-storied building at two lakhs a month how much have you got to pay as income tax?"

"From where are you speaking Mr. Gunadasa?"

"I am at Maradana, Sir."

"Where is this building?"

"In Maradana, Sir."

"Two lakhs a month means twenty-four lakhs a year. The first three lakhs of the income of any person is free from income tax... understand?"

"Yes, Sir."

"For income beyond three lakhs you are liable to pay income tax at thirty-five per cent of the income. So for twenty-one lakhs at thirty-five per cent it come to... just a minute please."

Gunadasa guessed Brahmaputra must have reached for the calculator.

"Yes, you'll have to pay seven hundred and thirty five thousand."

"Oh, it's highly unreasonable, Sir"

"It's not us who are unreasonable but you. You who are earning twenty four lakhs a month as rental haven't so far paid a single cent as income tax. You have committed a serious offence. We'll be starting an inquiry into this immediately."

Gunadasa listened smilingly until that reprimand finished.

"Can you give me now the location and the assessment number of this building?'

"There is a minor problem, Sir".

"This is not a minor problem Mr. Gunadasa. This is a major problem..."

"No, no Sir. I'll tell you the story. I'll be starting a new enterprise tomorrow that is selling kankun. I'll buy kankun at the Pettah and go from house to house selling them. According to that book I'll be rich in no time.

There is a bare land of twenty perches in front of our house. I'll buy that and it is only afterwards I am going to build a five storeyed building there and lease it out.

Gunadasa heard the receiver being banged on the cradle at the other end.

- Dayawansa Jayakody