Even actors are artists

The Bombay High Court’s judgement to uphold fashion designer Tarun Tahiliani’s case has certainly got the actors talking. The court has dubbed Tarun as an artist after he contested the Income Tax department’s appeal of taxing him on his income on foreign assignments citing Section 80RR.

The Section states that Indian authors, playwrights, artists, musicians, sportsmen and actors who receive income from foreign countries can get 75% of their total income exempted from tax. Tarun had earned over Rs80 lakh in 2000 from foreign countries. Actors also fall into the ‘artist’ category and thus want to be treated the same way as the designer. Harsha Bhogle and Shah Rukh Khan already have pending cases as they too have walked Tarun’s path.

Actor Amrita Rao says, “I welcome this decision. We actors are artists engaged in one of the highest forms of creativity. Actors also should be seen in the same light as Tarun as we are no less artists than him.”

Mandira Bedi adds, “Who wouldn’t like to be exempt from taxes? We as actors and higher earning members of society can still afford to pay taxes. Having said that, I wouldn’t mind a lesser percentage of my earnings going to the government.”

Tanushree Dutta feels actors have for long got the wrong side of the stick. She says, “It is quite unfair for actors as the profession of acting has been there in India since much before fashion designing and we actors should have been considered for such a thing before designers.”

Shriya Saran seconds, “Actors too have a right over this tax exemption. Sometimes when we act abroad or do endorsements, it is a part of our profession. That money should be taxed less.”

Ashmit Patel feels, “World over actors are given the respect as other artists are. This should change to have uniformity.”

Even TV actors, who get roped in for several shows and appearances outside India, want exemptions.

Shveta Salve says, “There should be no discrimination between an actor, designer or anyone engaged in creative work. If designers are getting it and Bollywood actors can also qualify for this exemption, TV artists should also be exempted.”

Hiten Tejwani adds, “As an artist I feel I should also be given a tax exemption; we also work very similar hours and have a similar job profile, it would act as an incentive for us too?”

Vindu Dara Singh furthers, “Actors are definitely the most creative artists ever and we salute the judge because anyone who chooses acting has a 00.01% chance of making it and every penny earned from abroad and India must be exempted from tax.”