The West Bengal State Tax on Professions, Trades, Callings and Employment Act, 1979 (commonly know as Profession Tax Act) came into force with effect from 1.4.1979 with the object of levying tax on professions, trades, callings and employments. It extends to the whole state of West Bengal.
Every person, who is engaged in any profession, trade, calling or employment and falling under any one or more of the entries enumerated in the Schedule appended to the Act, is liable to pay Profession Tax. The Schedule now contains 23 entries. Entry at serial No. 1 applies to salary or wage earners, while entries at serial numbers 2 to 23 relate to persons engaged in different professions, trades and callings.