Equalization Levy

A group of seven top industry associations representing internet and technology giants such as Google, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft and Adobe have sought withdrawal of the new equalization levy of 2 per cent that has come into force from April 1. The associations have written a joint letter to the United States Trade Representative seeking “swift engagement with the government of India” to raise “strong concerns” on the new levy, which they said was a “highly discriminatory new tax on foreign companies.”

The letter was jointly written by Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), Internet Association (IA), US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), United States Council for International Business (USCIB) and two other industry bodies.