Tamil Nadu Govt reduces Local Body Entertainment Tax
The Tamil Nadu government in its new order had cut down the Local Body Entertainment Tax from 8 per cent to 4 per cent.
This move comes ahead of the release of the much-anticipated Kamal Haasan-starrer Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam where they have reunited after 38 years.
The order comes a few months after Kamal Haasan had appealed to Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin to consider reducing the state entertainment tax on films, highlighting the industry’s woes after the COVID-19 pandemic and rising production costs.
Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI) expressed its heartfelt gratitude to Chief Minister MK Stalin, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and Minister for Tamil Development and Information MP Saminathan for taking the decision.
The government order reducing the LBET from 8.6 per cent to 4 per cent, was issued under the Tamil Nadu Local Authorities Entertainments Tax Act, 2017. Following the move, ticket prices are expected to significantly reduce, bringing more audience to theatres and benefit producers and distributors.