Akshay replaces SRK as top tax payer in Bollywood

Mumbai, Feb 18, 2009: Akshay Kumar replaces Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) as top tax payer from Bollywood. Akshay Kumar has become the highest tax payer in in India’s film industry leaving behind Shah Rukh Khan. Akshay Kumar has reportedly paid a personal income tax of Rs 19 crore, almost Rs 4 crore more than King Khan Shah Rukh.

Shah Rukh Khan was the highest tax payer from Bollywood till last year paying taxes of around Rs 27 crore. At one point of time he was the highest tax payer in the country.

2007 was a particularly prosperous year for SRK, for he not only had two mega hits under his belt - Chak De India and Om Shanti Om , which he also produced - but also earned Rs 1 crore for every episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati .

Hrithik Roshan , who paid Rs 15 crore last year, had no releases in 2007 though his endorsement list has grown longer. Aamir Khan , who paid Rs 6 crore last year, released only one film, Taare Zameen Par , and is known to have taken the distribution rights as part of his remuneration. He has paid advance taxes worth Rs 3 crore.

While Bollywood mega superstar Amitabh Bachchan paid Rs 8 crore in income tax last year, his advance tax payment until December 15, 2007 was only Rs 1.8 crore. Bachchan, who is said to have upped his fee in 2008, is no more among the highest paid actors but his endorsement roster is still a blue-chip one.