Number of Women Income Taxpayers in Assam on the Rise

Staff Reporter

Guwahati: A trend of increasing number of income tax payers among women is seen in the state, which indicates that women entrepreneurship is on the rise. In the last five years, the increase among women income tax payers has been 7.5%. In the financial year of 2019-20, the number of women taxpayers was 2.01 lakh, which increased to 2.17 lakh in 2023-24.

Official data indicates that the increase in the percentage of women taxpayers in the northeastern states of Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Tripura is more, but the number of taxpayers is lower when compared to those in Assam. For example, the increase in percentage terms for women taxpayers in Mizoram is 95.7%, whereas the number of women taxpayers in 2019-20 was 1,068, which increased in 2023-24 to 2,090. As for Meghalaya, the percentage of increase is 39.5%, but the number of taxpayers in 2019-20 was 8,011. This increased to 11,175 in 2023-24.

According to official sources, the state government has taken up several schemes for women's empowerment; an increasing number of women are engaged in start-ups; and an atmosphere of industrialisation in the state is also seen. Assam is ranked 15th in terms of the number of women entrepreneurs. The state has seen a surge in women-led start-ups in sectors such as textiles, handicrafts, and food processing. As a result, the income of women entrepreneurs has risen, along with a corresponding increase in the number of taxpayers. The abovementioned data is based on e-returns filed under various income tax return forms by women up to September 13, 2024.

It was announced in the state budget for 2024-25 about implementation of the Mukhya Mantrir Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan, which is aimed at promoting entrepreneurship among women. There are more than 3 lakh self-help groups run by women, and their income is also gradually increasing. "Women in Assam are breaking barriers and entering sectors traditionally dominated by men, such as education and agribusiness. This not only empowers women but also enriches the sectors with diverse perspectives and skills," the source added.

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