Bengaluru entrepreneur plans to leave India in 2026, tired of repeated notices even after paying ₹4 cr in taxes

A LinkedIn post by entrepreneur Rohit Shroff based in Bengaluru has triggered widespread discussion on India’s tax system. In his post, Shroff claimed that over the last 12 to 18 months, he has paid more than 4 crores in GST and Income tax, yet he is still facing repeated notices from the tax authorities.

He mentioned that only 4-5% of Indians pay income tax. Shroff argued that this small, compliant group is repeatedly targeted with audits and clarifications, while receiving “zero tangible benefits” in return. He described the compliance process as costly and exhausting, saying businesses often choose to comply rather than challenge the system because fighting it costs more.

Shroff questioned the system’s incentives, saying it fails to reward growth and penalises formal operators. He noted that Indians succeed in building businesses abroad, not from lack of patriotism, but because foreign systems support growth. According to him, people go abroad because the local system makes it difficult and slow for businesses to grow.

In his concluding remarks, Shroff struck a firm and disappointed note, stating, “I’m done. I’m done living the ‘building in India’ dream.” He said his goal for 2026 is to move out of the country and build his business elsewhere, adding that the decision is driven not by lack of patriotism but by ground realities. Emphasising self-preservation over slogans, Shroff asserted, “The system is flawed. There is no real development, and there is no genuine ease of doing business here.”