Independent research on tax policy should enter the public discourse: FM Sitharaman

Nirmala Sitharaman said a mature debate on tax policy must go beyond sectoral considerations. File | Photo credit: PTI

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday (16 Sep 2026) called for independent research on tax policy to become part of the public discourse, saying tax professionals must look beyond sectoral interests and put the national interest first.

Ms. Sitharaman was speaking at the 8th International Tax Conference on ‘New Age Taxation’ in Bengaluru organized by the International Tax Research and Analysis Foundation.

“A mature debate on tax policy must go beyond sectoral considerations,” she said, urging tax professionals to “rise above sectoral considerations and put the nation first.”

Ms. Sitharaman said the government has deliberately rationalized the TDS and TCS provisions, raised the thresholds and reduced unnecessary criminal consequences.

On international taxation, the finance minister said India has renegotiated its tax treaties with Mauritius, Singapore and Cyprus to restore its right to tax capital gains at source.

Published – 16 Sep 2026 13:33 IST