Lok Sabha passes Finance Bill, 2025 with 35 amendments; 6% equalisation levy on online ads abolished
The Lok Sabha passed the Finance Bill, 2025 on 25 March 2025 with 35 government amendments, including one abolishing the 6% equalisation levy on online advertisements.
Summary
The Lok Sabha passed the Finance Bill, 2025 on 25 March 2025 after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman replied to the debate. The Bill included 35 government amendments. One of them abolishes the 6% equalisation levy on online advertisements, popularly called the 'Google tax'; Sitharaman said this was to address uncertainty in international economic conditions. With the vote, the Lok Sabha completed its part of the Budget approval process, and the Bill moved to the Rajya Sabha. The Union Budget 2025-26 envisages total expenditure of ₹50.65 lakh crore, Business Standard and The Economic Times reported.
Key facts
- Passed
- 25 March 2025, Lok Sabha
- Amendments
- 35 government amendments
- Abolished
- 6% equalisation levy on online advertisements ('Google tax')
- Reply by
- FM Nirmala Sitharaman
- Next
- Rajya Sabha
- Budget 2025-26 spending
- ₹50.65 lakh crore
Practice MCQs 3 questions
How many government amendments were included in the Finance Bill, 2025 when the Lok Sabha passed it on 25 March 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 35
The Lok Sabha passed the Finance Bill, 2025 with 35 government amendments.
One of the amendments to the Finance Bill, 2025, passed by the Lok Sabha on 25 March 2025, abolished which levy?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 6% equalisation levy on online advertisements
An amendment abolished the 6% equalisation levy on online advertisements, popularly called the 'Google tax'.
What total expenditure does the Union Budget 2025-26 envisage, as reported when the Lok Sabha passed the Finance Bill on 25 March 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — ₹50.65 lakh crore
The Union Budget 2025-26 envisages total expenditure of ₹50.65 lakh crore, an increase of 7.4% over the current fiscal.