Generally when we are sick or feel unwell we visit doctors for consultation. It is observed that unless it’s a hospital, the patients are not given any bills for the amount paid for consultation. Only a medical receipt is given, which when produced at medical store a bill having vat can be obtained. Doctor’s consulation fees vary depending on the seriousness of the problem and the status of the patient. Under section 44AA of income tax doctors are required to maintain books of account, in most cases doctors don’t even maintain any accounts of patients consulted, so there is no way to make sure that their financial tax audits are definite. It would be ethical if they gave a receipt for the fee we pay.
Joshua Fernandes, Cuncolim
