Windfall Tax On Petroleum Crude Reduced To Rs 4,600 Per Tonne Starting August 1

This tax, imposed as a Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED), will see the new rates come into effect from August 1, according to an official notification

The government has announced a reduction in the windfall tax on domestically produced crude oil, cutting it to Rs 4,600 per tonne from the previous Rs 7,000 per tonne. This tax, imposed as a Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED), will see the new rates come into effect from August 1, according to an official notification.

The SAED on the export of diesel, petrol, and jet fuel (ATF) has been maintained at zero. This decision marks a continuation of the policy that India first implemented on July 1, 2022, to join other nations in taxing the supernormal profits of energy companies. The government reviews these tax rates biweekly, basing adjustments on the average oil prices over the preceding two weeks.

The introduction of windfall taxes in July 2022 aimed to curb the excessive profits of oil-producing companies during periods of soaring crude prices, often triggered by geopolitical events such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine. These taxes are typically levied when global benchmark prices for domestic crude oil exceed $75 per barrel. Similarly, taxes on the exports of diesel, ATF, and petrol are imposed when product margins surpass $20 per barrel.

The windfall tax serves multiple purposes. It ensures that the domestic refining industry contributes to the nation's economic growth, stabilises fuel availability, and maintains price levels domestically. By doing so, the government seeks to balance the financial health of energy companies with the broader economic interests of the country.

This latest reduction in the windfall tax reflects the government's adaptive approach to fluctuating global oil prices, aiming to maintain a steady economic environment while supporting the energy sector's sustainability and growth.

In an another development, the price of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) was increased by 2 per cent on Thursday, in the latest monthly revision that aligns with international oil price trends. According to a notification from state-owned fuel retailers, the ATF price in the national capital was raised by Rs 1,827.34 per kilolitre, or 1.9 per cent, bringing the new rate to Rs 97,975.72 per kilolitre.