India Taxation

Because tax records are difficult to find, are often unindexed, and give limited information, search them only after you have exhausted other sources. Records exist for different taxes levied throughout English history. Separate records may have been created for assessment and collection of the taxes.

India has a well-developed tax structure with a three-tier federal structure, comprising the Union Government, the State Governments, and the Urban/Rural Local Bodies. The power to levy taxes and duties is distributed among the three tiers of Governments, in accordance with the provisions of the Indian Constitution.

The main taxes/duties that the Union Government is empowered to levy are Income Tax (except tax on agricultural income, which the State Governments can levy), Customs duties, Central Excise and Sales Tax and Service Tax. The principal taxes levied by the State Governments are Sales Tax (tax on intra-State sale of goods), Stamp Duty (duty on transfer of property), State Excise (duty on manufacture of alcohol), Land Revenue (levy on land used for agricultural/non-agricultural purposes), Duty on Entertainment and Tax on Professions &amp; Callings. The Local Bodies are empowered to levy tax on properties (buildings, etc.), Octroi (tax on entry of goods for use/consumption within areas of the Local Bodies), Tax on Markets, and Tax/User Charges for utilities such as water supply, drainage, etc.