Lawyers hit with extra tax burden

Some lawyers working for firms in India are facing an additional tax burden after the government made some changes in its 2016 budget. These include removing tax exemptions and proposing a 14 per cent tax on a senior advocates providing services to advocate or partnership firms.
The India Times reports that critics say the changes are contrary to the opening up of India’s legal market to foreign firms.  "This sort of taxation will discourage the PM's dream to make India an arbitration hub in line with Singapore and London,” Lalit Bhasin, president of the Society of Indian Law Firms told the paper.
Delhi High Court Bar Association President Rajiv Khosla added: "The government has tried to divide the legal fraternity on the basis of law firms and litigating advocates.”
 
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