Windfall Tax Meaning Benefits How Does It Work

Windfall Tax Meaning

How does Windfall Tax Work?

Keeping in view of all tax schemes proposed and implemented by the government, there lies a rift between those that are for and against the tax schemes. The merit of a windfall tax is that the taxed funds can be used by the governments to maintain the state of the economy and fight several glaring social causes.On the other hand, those who oppose such taxes reduce the business interest to reap profits. They also are of the view that such profits should be reinvested by business entities to encourage scientific and business development, which in some way will empower the social status of the country and its regions.Windfall taxes are levied with the objective of tax companies to bring down the general price levels of goods and services so that it benefits the end consumer. The policy of the government may backfire as it may lower the investment by private sector companies as it may hit their after-tax profits (PATPATProfit After Tax is the revenue left after deducting the business expenses and tax liabilities. This profit is reflected in the Profit & Loss statement of the business.read more), which in turn would affect their bottom line and jeopardize their survival in the market.As an instance, the government as of mid-2018 was mulling over the idea to levyLevyA levy is a lawful process where the debtor’s property is seized when the debtor cannot pay the outstanding debts. It is different from liens, as a lien is only a claim against a property, whereas a levy is an actual property takeover to fulfill the obligation.read more a Windfall Tax on Oil and natural gas producing companies to bring down the prices of fuel and petrol. Under this scheme, fuel-producing companies are paid at international rates for the fuel they produce domestically and will have to be part of the earningsEarningsEarnings are usually defined as the net income of the company obtained after reducing the cost of sales, operating expenses, interest, and taxes from all the sales revenue for a specific time period. In the case of an individual, it comprises wages or salaries or other payments.read more they have generated from prices surpassing a particular limit.These taxes will always remain an arguable or debatable issue between the equity shareholders of well-performing companies and people from the other sections of the society. The concern of such taxation got attention when oil and gas companies, namely Exxon Mobil that reported a profit of $36 Billion for the fiscal yearFiscal YearFiscal Year (FY) is referred to as a period lasting for twelve months and is used for budgeting, account keeping and all the other financial reporting for industries. Some of the most commonly used Fiscal Years by businesses all over the world are: 1st January to 31st December, 1st April to 31st March, 1st July to 30th June and 1st October to 30th Septemberread more encountered super profits due to surging fuel prices.Windfall taxes also relate to individual and non-corporate entities who suddenly see a surge in their income levels by receiving a large corpus of wealth from gifts, inheritance, the game of chance, gambling or lottery winnings. In many cases, inheritance, gifts from friends or relatives are tax exemptTax ExemptTax-exempt refers to excluding an individual’s or corporation’s income, property or transaction from the tax liability imposed by the federal, local or state government. These exemptions either allow total relief from the taxes or provide reduced rates or charge tax on some items only.read more in the hands of the recipient. However, central or regional taxes may be levied on the giver of such inheritance. Income from winnings from lottery and gambling is charged to tax either in the hands of the recipient or the giver of such income. These winnings have to be reported in the income tax returns to be filed with the federal tax authorities. An individual who has been awarded a huge monetary settlement after winning a legal case is expected to pay central income tax on the amount received. In comparison, monetary settlements such as damages for personal physical ailments or sickness received are not considered taxable by the Tax authorities.

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Benefits

The most certain benefit of windfall taxes is that it boosts government revenues. It enables them to substantially provide public services and other benefits to the citizens of the country like building civil infrastructure, health facilities, sanitation, and also building the nation’s military strength.The additional funds raised through this tax can service the debts by the countries to various global financial institutionsFinancial InstitutionsFinancial institutions refer to those organizations which provide business services and products related to financial or monetary transactions to their clients. Some of these are banks, NBFCs, investment companies, brokerage firms, insurance companies and trust corporations. read more and may bolster the national economy. However, it may also act as a disincentive to companies.If companies become aware that windfall gains will be taxed, they may not seek out such profits with innovative business plans. A part of these receipts has to be parked in a personal contingency fund in bank fixed deposits.The beneficiary of windfall gains can repay interest-bearing consumer or car loans, in which case the asset depreciates to lower than the loan outstanding. The other part of windfall gains can be used to repay housing loans to bring down interest costs and EMI’s.The other viable option can be to invest the windfall proceeds in gold deposits. One part of the corpus can be given to a charitable organization of repute who is catering to the cause of education or health or child welfare. The donations made to charitable causes can be used to claim deductions from 50% to 100% from the income liable to tax.

Drawbacks

The economic impact of windfall taxation should lead to its immediate rejection. Firstly, such an arbitrary taxation system would increase the risks of investing. As a result, investors will demand a higher return on their investments, or they may choose to stop investing altogether.These taxes may reduce the dividend payout to investors investing in oil-producing companies. These companies are not owned by cash-rich investors but by pension fundsPension FundsA pension fund refers to any plan or scheme set up by an employer which generates regular income for employees after their retirement. This pooled contribution from the pension plan is invested conservatively in government securities, blue-chip stocks, and investment-grade bonds to ensure that it generates sufficient returns.read more and insurance companies. Finally, it would reduce the funds available for investment in sources of fuel, thereby spiking the energy costs. Windfall tax may affect people; it was created to help and reduce long term tax income.

Conclusion

Windfall taxes provide a good source of revenue to the government as it follows the principle that those who have earned a surplus through windfalls to be taxed and also discouraging businesses of the lottery, gambling, horse racing, etc. It affects the companies which earn huge profits in the business of oil and gas as they have lesser income in the form of dividends to be distributed to its investors.