Specific Tax and Ad-Valorem Tax – Indian Economy UPSC Notes

Specific Tax: A fixed amount of tax is charged per unit of a good or service., Ad-Valorem Tax: Tax is charged as a % of the value (price) of G & S.

1. Specific Tax

📌 Meaning:

  • A fixed amount of tax is charged per unit of a good or service.

  • Tax amount does not depend on the price of the product.

  • Collected based on quantity, weight, size, etc.

📖 Example:

  • Tax on petrol: ₹5 per litre

  • Whether the petrol price is ₹80 or ₹100 per litre, the tax remains ₹5 per litre.

✅ Easy to remember: Specific = Fixed per unit


2. Ad-Valorem Tax

📌 Meaning:

  • Tax is charged as a percentage of the value (price) of the good or service.

  • Higher the price → Higher the tax, Lower the price → Lower the tax

  • Based on the value of the product, not quantity.

📖 Example:

  • GST on gold: 3% of the gold price

  • If gold price = ₹50,000 → Tax = ₹1,500

  • If gold price = ₹60,000 → Tax = ₹1,800

  • Tax changes based on the value.

✅ Easy to remember: Ad-Valorem = "According to Value"


Quick Comparison Table:

Type of Tax Based on Example Effect
Specific Tax Quantity, Size, Weight ₹5 per litre petrol Same tax, price doesn't matter
Ad-Valorem Tax Value (price) 3% GST on gold value Tax changes if price changes


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