A 34-year-old IIT graduate working as a software architect has gone viral after revealing why he decided to leave India for Dubai despite earning an annual package of Rs 1.5 crore in India.
On paper, the compensation looked impressive. However, he claimed that after taxes, his annual take-home income dropped to roughly Rs 90 lakh. According to him, the difference between the headline salary and the actual amount he could use made him rethink whether remaining in India was financially worthwhile.
The tech professional said that despite paying nearly Rs 50 lakh in taxes every year, he still had to spend heavily on private schooling for his child, healthcare for his parents, and other living expenses.
He also expressed frustration over poor infrastructure,
saying that despite contributing so much in taxes, issues like potholes and inadequate public services remained unchanged.
For him, the problem was not just about the amount of money he was earning, but how little he felt he was saving after essential expenses. He reportedly felt that while he was funding the system through taxes, the system was not providing enough in return.
Things changed when he received a message on LinkedIn from a company in Dubai offering him a similar role. The offer was around Rs 1.4 crore, about Rs 10 lakh less than what he was earning in India. Initially, the lower figure did not seem attractive, but a closer comparison made him reconsider.
He realised that although the Dubai package was lower, he would keep nearly the entire amount because salaries in the UAE are largely tax-free. In contrast, a substantial portion of his Indian income was going towards taxes. According to him, the amount he paid in taxes in India was enough to cover a major part of his lifestyle expenses in Dubai.
Shivam Arora explained that the difference lies mainly in the tax structure. He said that in Dubai, salaried employees generally receive almost their full income in hand because there is no personal income tax on salaries. In India, however, income is taxed progressively, with higher earneRs paying a larger share.
The man has reportedly already moved to Dubai and plans to work there for the next 10 years before eventually returning to India. His story has reignited conversations about whether rising taxes, living costs, and infrastructure concerns are pushing highly skilled professionals to leave the country.
Several users shared mixed reactions online.
“Ummmm Dubai has higher water rate. How is he going to buy water ? You guys even know how much is the water cost in Saudi Arabia🤣 my colleague went for tourist visit and the hotel told them to drink 1 litre water each day as water is scarce,” said one user.
One user said, “This is why many professionals consider moving abroad. High income, but high taxes and expenses can feel like a trap.”
“That person is making up stuff. In UAE there is a lot of indirect taxation and high fines. The cost of living is also high. Such stories are often with twisted facts and not disclosing full details,” said another.
Another said, “I will catch the first flight out once I am eligible.”
Third said, “In India, many individuals and businesses prioritise profit over integrity, often delivering poor services in exchange for hard-earned money. This is not only a failure of governance but also a breakdown of trust within society itself.”
“Yes. Always operate in your self interest. You owe India nothing. Always choose a better life over signaling patriotism by staying,” said another.
