Kathmandu, July 22 -- The government's decision to scrap the three percent parity tax on education and healthcare services has left taxpayers wondering whether the money already collected under the levy will be returned.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah announced the rollback on Tuesday, days after the tax came into effect, following public criticism over the additional financial burden it placed on students and patients. But the announcement alone does not invalidate the tax, leaving its legal status and the fate of collected revenue unresolved.

Since the levy was introduced through the Finance Act endorsed by Parliament, its withdrawal requires Cabinet approval and publication of the decision in the Nepal Gazette before it takes legal eff...