Disadvantages of Indirect Taxes

Indirect taxes have some disadvantages too, which are as follows:

(i) Regressive:

Indirect taxes are not equitable. For instance, salt tax in India fell more heavily on the poor than on the rich, as it had to be paid at the same rate by all. Whether a rich man buys a commodity or a poor man, the price in the market is the same for all. The tax is wrapped in the price. Hence, rich and poor pay the same amount, which is obviously unfair. They are thus; regressive.

(ii) Uncertain:

Unless indirect taxes are imposed on necessaries, we cannot be sure of the revenue yield. In the case of goods, with an elastic demand, the tax might not bring in much revenue. The tax will raise the price and contract the demand. When the thing is not purchased, the question of the tax payment does not arise.

(iii) Raising Prices Unduly:

They cause the price of an article to rise b; more than the tax. A fraction of the money unit cannot be calculated, so ever middleman tends to charge more than the tax. This process is cumulative.

(IV) Uneconomical:

The cost of collection is quite heavy. Every source o production has to be guarded. Large administrative staff is required to administer such taxes. This turns out to be a costly affair.

(v) No Civic Consciousness:

These taxes do not develop civic consciousness, because many times the tax-payer does not even know that he is paying tax. The tax is concealed in the price.

(VI) Harmful to Industries:

They discourage industries if raw materials are taxed. This will raise the cost of production and impair their competitive capacity.