Taxes do count. 35% taxes. 35% is about 2.5 days per week. If you work for 30 years, you would have spent about 10yrs of your lifetime giving back to society.

Senior Software Engineer

Voluntary or not.. it does count... I work for 12 months get paid only only 9... If you include the indirect taxes then that will come down to 6 or 7.  
 Salaried employees are the biggest fools in this country.

Consultant

Product Manager

Apne muh miya mitthu? 😂 
  
 I've honestly lost track, and it doesn't make sense to track either. Karam karo bas chup chaap.

the intention is to see what all people have done or what all is possible

Everything around us is a result of the same. Millions of often nameless people that built the society we live in.  
    
  That includes the bad shit too though xd

Product Owner

I exhale carbon dioxide. 
  
 Countless trees are getting benefitted out of it. 
  
 And trees bring rain to this beautiful country which is mostly into agriculture. 
  
 Don't think I can do anything better than this to the society.

Program Manager

Spent weekends helping at the local food bank. Every can stacked is a step towards a better community. 🥫💪 #CommunityService

Software Engineer

Chartered Accountant

Rotary club member. 
  
 Large community development projects to generate new industries and generate employment for hundreds of people in the area. 
  
 In tongue in cheek terms, we help urban population move back to a village by making the village lucrative to live in.

My day job is as a Backend Engineer, by the way.

Tax I pay is a contribution to the society. Why doesn't it count?. People getting their loan written off, free electricity, free bus service,  who do you think pays for it?

I don't really talk about my charity work in public, but I prefer doing charity work that is hands on instead of donation of money because you never know where that money goes. For example, I recently sourced foodgrains for a gaushala in my hometown.

A third of my income is taken away and I get diddly squat, now way taxes don't count.

I pickup any wrappers I see (as long as they're not filthy) 
  
 I keep any wrappers I used until I find a dustbin or get home (even if they're filthy)

This is the post where you brag about yourself 😄  No, paying taxes don't count.

This is the post where you brag about yourself 😄

No, paying taxes don't count.

How have you contributed back to society ?

How have you contributed back to society ?- Grapevine

I see a lot of folks opening their calendar and offering resume review and career guidance and other things via Topmate.
Some are charging like 6000 per hour. 
And posting that as if they are making some contribution to the community.
They are keeping posts as that is their way of giving back to the community as if it's some sort of charity. 

How the hell is giving back to the community when you are charging 6000 per hour ?? 

I dont have a problem with people who keep it openly as its a way to earn some money. You are giving your time so asking money for it is not at all wrong in my book 

But please dont label it as charity for god sake 🙏🙏

Topmate sessions !!

Welcome to Software Engineers's Private Community

I often wonder if as a software developer, I'm not making much of a difference in the society. Sure, our company as a whole makes an impact, but individually, it feels like we don't have any visual effect in society.

When I see doctors getting so much respect and making such a big impact, or when I notice the good deeds of IAS/IPS/ Army Officers, I can't help but question what I'm contributing to society except paying taxes which too are eaten up by corrupt politicians. 🥲

Social respect of a Software Developer

Software Developer

Most of us on Grapevine, working in corporate sector might make decent chunk of money if we keep grinding for a decade or two but very few of us would have the social capital (or as they say “networking” in our corporate jargon).
Increasingly realising that the society respects the business owners or govt officers more than any senior leader in an IT firm. There is no social recognition for corporate folks. It might not be relevant for young folks as they still have some residual social recognition of the family for now, but what would happen after a decade or two. Most of the corporate “friends” are no longer in touch except for very rare ones. How does one build a social circle after 10-20 yrs in corporate? Would like to hear from folks above 40 yrs if they’ve had similar thoughts and how are they managing?
Also, What are some ways one can start building social circle overtime while doing a corporate job?

PS: I am referring social capital as having a certain level of stature in society alongwith deep connections with some people living around you who can help you in need or can expect something from you. This is different from LinkedIn networking where primary expectation is referrals.

Service Class has no social capital

My father is an officer in a PSU. Not sure what "respect" you are talking about because from what I've seen, PSU workers have a social capital only in their colony/settlement. Apart from that it doesn't really matter for outsiders.  
 Business owners are respected only if he/she is really really successful. Otherwise how often we see someone respecting a normal shop owner?? 
  
 To build your own social capital, participate in tech talks/workshops. Spend time mentoring folks. Participate in society functions/apartments as others have mentioned.

Guys, I am living in a remote part of Rajasthan and working remotely from there as a software engineer.

For almost 12 years (for education purposes), I was away from home, but this recent switch gave me the opportunity to spend some time with my parents.

While staying here in the village, I am thinking of contributing back to the village. 

I am thinking of starting weekly workshops where I would visit schools, interact with student,  and help them be aware of technology, the internet, etc.

Need your help in getting some more ideas about what can I cover in these workshops.

Also, I would like to know ways you guys think of contributing back to society. May be not now, but I'm sure many people do think of doing something for others someday.

I will be here for almost 1.5 years, so I want to make it count. (That is my plan, but things can change)

What are some ways you would like to contribute back to society?

What do you think of this split ? What would you change?

Living in BLR , earn 43LPA, sharing how I spend my money

Engineering Manager

Senior Product Manager

I have seen my trader friends to party donations to pay less taxes. As per the law we can donate 20% of our gross income to any party for the tax deduction benefits. Do any of the software engineers also donate to party?

Party donations for tax benefits.

Welcome to Personal Finance's Private Community

This hits hard

Welcome to News Discussion's Private Community

I have seen most of my friends and people are in tech always oppose the current Government. 

I agree, that current government is not great. But at same time, supporting parties like Congress doesn’t makes sense.

Genuinely curious why people think current government is not doing good? I have seen road & rail infrastructure getting improved, defence budget being increased, government making investments in R&D, privatisation of government sectors, making existing processes efficient, and much more.

Even the farm bills were good, now what is happening all the middlemen are making money.

Communal riots have increased, but I don’t think the government is responsible, it’s people who ignite these riots.

At last, why you think current government is not doing good?

Why people in tech hate BJP?

Small dataset? Most of the techies and finance folks I know are out and out Modi supporters!

Finance Consultant

I guess similar to blind everyone posting here should mention there year of experienc and TC  and only then others should reply

Grapevine tax

Don't lose hope; keep fighting, better days are ahead.

But this is extremely better. U are either very skilled or had fortune on ur side. Not everyone will have it 😅 Congrats! 🙌🏻

Founder

Every year we work for almost 3+ months ONLY FOR GOVERNMENT.
It really hits hard and an eye opener as we barely get anything in reverse.

Software Test - QA

Bro, you are earning. Shouldn't you just be grateful that you are not born in war torn Afghanistan or disease ridden Africa. I mean life could be so much worse. In fact, the only difference between you and the office boy is the household you were born in. If that office boy was born in your home, he probably would be as successful as you. 

You already won the lottery. Why not just do your part and pay the income tax so that the tax money can be used to provide a better life to those who are unprivileged.

I am not excusing the corruption in the system but just find the cribbing unbearable 

Just be greatful

Why do people keep ranting about income tax

Oh, I thought this must be some smart argument, the moment I read “difference between you & the office boy is the household…”.  
  
 No bro, it’s no so simple. People work hard to make a living. People crib about taxes because some of us are paying ‘first world rates with third world facilities’. Only single digit % of population is bearing the load of rest-of-population. Even corporate tax rates are < Salary tax rates.

My current salary is 42LPA. I am from IIT, have 7 years of experience and work in product. Honestly, my value in the market is higher than what I’m being paid but I am very demotivated to optimise for that. When I do see less deserving people minting more money, I feel that I am doing injustice to myself and playing the wrong hand.

More and more though, the thought of earning more money chokes me a bit. I have dreams of building something of my own - that gives me control to build something my way and freedom to live my life as per my terms. But the mindset of “zyada paisa pareshaani hai” doesn’t leave me.

My family also is not dependent on me and whatever is needed from my side, I actively contribute to. I also lack any motivation to focus on my investments and see my money grow. I just have money sitting around in my bank account purely for nothing

I also look at my lifestyle choices from time to time and go into existential debate of why we need the things that we do. This has come to a point where I really do not understand my relationship with money and why we earn and spend it. 

For me at this point, it’s just a show for the world. There’s very little that you need, and really no limit to what you want to show. And I just don’t see a point in it anymore.

I am demotivated to work to earn more money

Hey @Hungryninja  
 Extremely relatable and very beautiful write up 
  
 I get the trouble you face. When you’ve almost figured out what you like and what you don’t like (that money isn’t thaaat needle moving, I have basic needs) but at the same time, the opportunity cost of relaxing is too high - everybody from your batch will remind you of how far you can go, and the middle class boy in you will find it difficult to stomach letting go of all the money, even though you can make it  
  
 Went through this at one point. I have ultimately sided with money. I cannot sit back and relax. Money will only unlock a lot of foreign travel and good lifestyle for me. But more than that, I am lucky to be in a position that allows me to earn money easier than other people do. So I’ll make it, help extended family and people who cannot earn as easily, because at least in a country like India, it’s almost a responsibility. We’re not fucking Europe. 
  
 I’ll just not kill myself for it as much as I used to :)

Investment Associate

Hi folks,
I did my full 4 year bachelor's on scholarship in a decent pvt College with hostel included. Approx 8L.

And after this support, my life has changed.
Now I am paying same amount as tax each year 😂🚀.

So I just want to put this thought out there that maybe paying taxes is not that bad what people usually think and it can empower and transform not millions but thousands of lives.

Thanks!🙏🥹

Tax Money can change lives

I just want to vent out! Many businesses are earning double than me and paying less than 50% of tax and yet here I am as a professional bound to pay tax. And that’s not enough, I still can get audited!

Paying 29L as tax this year!!

I paid 43L last year. 😤😖 
 It feels like I own every inch of new BLR airport. 😅

How have you contributed back to society ?

Discover More

Misc on

by Aaron Lee

Startup

Topmate sessions !!

Software Engineers on

by Aaron Carmden

Walmart

Social respect of a Software Developer

Misc on

by Jordon Carmden

Stealth

Service Class has no social capital

Misc on

by Coy Carmden

Startup

What are some ways you would like to contribute back to society?

Bangalore on

by Aaron Olive

Zepto

Living in BLR , earn 43LPA, sharing how I spend my money

Software Engineers on

by Jordon Lee

Fintech Startup

Party donations for tax benefits.

Personal Finance on

by Kendall Carmden

Startup

This hits hard

News Discussion on

by Coy Lee

Stealth

Why people in tech hate BJP?

Software Engineers on

by Dezi Taye

Fractal

Grapevine tax

Layoffs on

by Matilda Everett

Stealth

Don't lose hope; keep fighting, better days are ahead.

Software Engineers on

by Kendall Lee

Stealth

Tax

Misc on

by Jordon Carmden

Stealth

Why do people keep ranting about income tax

Personal Finance on

by Aaron Lee

Stealth

I am demotivated to work to earn more money

Personal Finance on

by Isaiah Carmden

US Based Startup

Tax Money can change lives

Personal Finance on

by Matilda Taye

Stealth

Paying 29L as tax this year!!