A humorous video by content creator Shrinidhi Hande from Udupi, Karnataka, has taken the internet by storm, amassing millions of views with his unconventional take on saving income tax. The video, shared on Instagram on July 23, has captured the attention of many, especially following Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s recent presentation of the Union Budget 2024.
View this post on Instagram
In his satirical video, Hande jokingly suggested that salaried individuals could evade income tax entirely by selling grass to their employers. He playfully described the process as “very easy, legal, and simple”—though it is, of course, not a legitimate method.
Hande explained, “First, you need to grow grass at home, on your balcony, or terrace. Then, approach your HR and tell them you don’t want a salary anymore. Instead, they should buy grass from you equivalent to your salary. If your salary is ₹50,000, they could buy 50 strands of grass for ₹1,000 each. This way, your income becomes zero, and your earnings come from selling agricultural produce, which is not taxable in India.” He concluded with a disclaimer, stating the video was created purely for humor.
The video has resonated with viewers, garnering 2.5 million views and a host of amusing comments. One user quipped about the absurdity of a company’s financial records showing a significant portion of revenue spent on purchasing grass. Another joked that when they tried to pitch the idea to their HR, they were met with a call to the police.
One commenter pointed out a factual inaccuracy in the satirical plan, noting that only income from agricultural land is exempt from income tax in India.
Hande’s video serves as a lighthearted commentary on the complexities of tax regulations, highlighting the public’s reaction to the recent budget announcements with a comedic twist.