Tax framework ensures level playing field for industry, says Arvind Shrivastava

New Delhi: The tax framework has been designed to ensure neutrality between domestic and global players, revenue secretary Arvind Shrivastava said Tuesday, highlighting budget reforms related to data centres and special economic zones.

"Tax treatment has been structured to enable fair competition and ensure a level playing field for Indian industry," he said at an interactive session organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci). The budget marks a decisive shift towards taxpayer autonomy and trust-based compliance, he said, outlining structural reforms aimed at reducing friction between taxpayers and tax authorities.

Shrivastava said the government's approach is premised on the belief that most taxpayers are willing to comply, provided the system is fair and predictable.


"The fundamental thought behind this is that we believe the general incentive with the taxpayer is to be honest and pay tax dues as long as those dues are seen as legitimate," he said.