Question 1 · 10 marks · 145 words written
Opening · a definition
Windfall tax is a tax on profits generated due to unexpected circumstances or on a sin good. eg. Windfall tax on oil products in the wake of higher profit due to Russia-Ukraine war.
Body · points and prose
Effectively Redistribute wealth & Promote economic equality
Resource mobilisation by Government to spend on physical & social infrastructure • eg. tax on oil marketing company for Subsiding PM Ujjwala yojna
Consumer Protection by ensuring the companies pass on benefits to consumer rather than rising profits.
Parity between exports & domestic demand • eg OMCs selling to EU & USA creating shortage domestically.
④ Control Inflation & thus ensure macro-economic stability
⑤ Act as surcharge on direct taxes which is fiscal tool to redistribute wealth.
Close · a way forward
To address the challenges & to ensure its effective utilisation, there is need for legislative enactment to standardize its applicablity & usage to bring transparency.