Tax waiver for old Tamil films too

The Tamil Nadu Government has announced the waiver of entertainment tax on old Tamil films with Tamil names also. The Government has earlier waived this tax on new films.

Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said that whether old or new, those released with Tamil names would be totally exempted from entertainment tax.

The grant of tax exemption for old films followed a representation made by the Tamil film industry leaders.

To avail of the benefit, many new films with English names switched to Tamil names even after they were released..

According to an official release, the tax exemption would be allowed only after permission is obtained from the Commissioner of Commercial Tax by the producers concerned after confirming that the film is named in Tamil.

Film Producers Association president Rama Narayanan thanked the Chief Minister, Mr M. Karunanidhi, for accepting the industry's representation in this regard. He said producers, distributors and exhibitors would all benefit by this relief and employment opportunities would also increase.

Welcoming the tax relief, Indian Film Federation (Sammelan) secretary Abhirami Ramanathan said there are 1,800 theatres in Tamil Nadu. Of them only 200 theatres screen new films and the remaining 1,600 theatres run old films. The Government's gesture would give a new lease of life to these 1,600 theatres, he said.