What is Non Tax Revenue

Different Sources of Non Tax Revenue

Now that you understand non tax revenue definition, let’s have a look at some of the non tax revenue sources:

• Jobs provided through state public service boards
• Security services for residential properties
• Civil service fees
• Fees for municipal services
• Payments for electricity
• Charges for administrative services
• Revenue from newspapers
• Sale of stationery and similar items

Components of Non Tax Revenue

The following are the different components of non tax revenue:

• Interest 

It consists of the interest paid on loans extended to states, Union Territories, and various entities for purposes such as flood control and modernisation of police forces.

It also includes interest earned on loans given to Port Trusts, public sector enterprises (PSEs), and other statutory bodies.

• Examination Fees

These are fees paid by applicants for competitive examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and Staff Selection Commission (SSC) to fill vacancies in government offices.

• Petroleum Licence

This is the fee paid to obtain exclusive rights for oil and gas exploration in specific regions. This fee may include royalties, a share of profits earned from the contract areas, Petroleum Exploration License (PEL) fee, or Production Level Payment (PLP).

• Power Supply Fees

Power supply fee refers to the revenue collected by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) for supplying power under the Electricity (Supply) Act.

• Communication Services Fees

It mainly comprises licence fees paid by telecom operators for spectrum usage to the Department of Telecom (DoT).

• Dividends and Profits

This covers dividends and profits received from PSEs, as well as surplus transferred from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

• Police Services Fees

This involves fees received for providing central police forces to state governments and other entities. Providing Central Industrial Police Force (CISF) personnel to safeguard industries is one such instance.

• Broadcasting Fees

Broadcasting fees include licence fees paid by Direct-To-Home (DTH) operators, commercial FM radio services, commercial TV services, etc.

• Road and Bridge Usage Fees

This covers revenue collected by toll plazas for the use of bridges, national highways, etc.

• Sale of Stationery and Gazettes

It includes revenue from the sale of stationery, government publications, gazettes, etc., which falls under the category ‘Stationery and Printing’.

• Administrative Services Fees

This covers fees received for providing services such as audit, passport issuance, visa services, etc.

• Defence Services Receipts

This includes payments for services provided by the Canteen Stores Department (CSD).

Difference Between Tax Revenue and Non Tax Revenue

Tax revenue comes from the income earned by individuals or entities and the value of goods and services sold or bought. You must pay a portion of your income and the value of goods or services as tax.

Non-tax revenue is charged for services provided by the government. You only pay non-tax revenue when you use these government services.

The Bottomline

With a comprehensive understanding of non tax revenue, it is quite evident that the government earns money from many sources beyond taxes.

You now know where non tax revenues come from and the various sources of non tax income. This steady income stream is crucial for maintaining and improving the infrastructure in the country and for offering essential services to all citizens.