In India - Well we all know a couple of people for sure who pay no taxes or pay the bare minimum tax by not declaring revenues, but are worth a fortune. In the more developed nations, we have accountants and lawyers helping the rich do the same but in a legit way. The difference is, in India the business owner is left with evaded hard cash in hand. While in a mature state a business owner has exempted assets or exempted cash in the bank.
The difference here is exemption vs evasion.
Disclaimer - This writes up is not on ethics, It's on how so many business owners in India lose on the opportunity when they hoard cash.
India is no doubt one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. As a kid, I once heard a wise man say - "India performs despite governance..." With the current pace and the current structure, despite few roadblocks. We should be doing really great in a decade from here. That means the investors will be rewarded very well.
Amidst this robust growth, we have a section of the Indian society that by its very nature cannot participate in its own growth story. A section that moves assets to cash, one of the worst things to do if you as someone smart enough with money.
Why do they do so- To avoid (evade) the approx 35%+ tax that they will have to pay if they declare their actual revenues. By doing this they gain a short-term relief of the same amount that they do not pay in taxes.
What do they lose- To save 30 chips they have to convert 100 chips to food coupons, with which they no longer can play in the casino and win. Now they can only use these food coupons to eat and have drinks. (killing the capital)
That means to save every Rs.30 they have to move Rs.100 of their capital to cash. This cash is now out of the system restricting them from making investments in the capital markets where major wealth maximization happens.
They can no longer experience the very sacred power of compounding itself.
What do they don't know- We no longer live in a limited cash ecosystem. The government can print as much current as it wants or feels fit. So in the casino now- the food coupons are unlimited but the chips are not. i.e. The cash is unlimited in the system but the assets with a value are and will always be limited.
They are simply following their business traditions, which were crafted in times of scares to ensure security. Not releasing that we now live in a system of abundance.
How much do they lose? Considering the approx. growth of 14.71% as per India's currency value chain and erosion of 10.31% due to inflation and interest opportunity. In a span of 10 years on an investor has Rs394.46 on capital of Rs100 and the cash hoarder is left with Rs33.68.
Don't get me wrong they will still have Rs.100 buried in the ground but it will be worth Rs.33.68 in terms of its purchasing power.
What do the smart hoarders currently do - Property and Gold. I must say a very wise craft again in times of scarcity to ensure security. However, with the regulations getting stronger and the assets being mapped to their true owners, this smart play might not go on long enough. (gold is merely a discount for inflation and not economic growth)
What should the next generation of business owners do- Find smart, creative, and professional ways to plan taxes and not evade but get the capital exempted through the system. By doing this, they will not only ensure their seat at the wealth maximization table but also help the economy through capital rotation.
At the end of the day, there are only so many food coupons one can use.
Comments