Streaming services like Netflix, Amazon may come under tax net in Budget

Equalisation levy may be put on streaming services

Encouraged by ballooning revenue from the equalisation levy on online advertising fees, the government feels there is scope to expand it to digital content streaming companies such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, said sources in the know.

The collection target this year is steep and the revenue situation less than ideal. In such a scenario, the government might consider the proposal to tax these services in the Budget, to be presented next week.

 In 2018-19, collections from the equalisation levy touched Rs 1,000 crore — up from Rs 560 crore in FY18 and Rs 200 crore in FY17. The levy was introduced