The upcoming budget seems set to offer small traders a free pass pay whatever tax they choose, no Point of Sale (POS) machines, most likely no audits hence no questions will be asked.
Meanwhile, every year the salaried class and documented corporates are squeezed harder to meet revenue targets. Add to that an agriculture sector that contributes little to direct tax revenues despite being a major part of the economy.
The result? The burden keeps falling on the same taxpayers who are already fully documented and compliant. A salaried person's tax is deducted at source yet he/she also has to face tax audits. A fair tax system should broaden the tax base, not keep penalizing those who are easiest to tax.
Joke!