The Minimum Alternate Tax ( MAT) could be phased out after some years, if and when all corporate tax exemptions and deductions are phased out. This could take at least seven or eight years. If it happens, experts agree, it would reduce tax litigation. A finance ministry official said MAT might become redundant in seven years or more and could be removed. "For now, it will remain in the Income Tax Act, even if it does not affect people. If there are no substantial deductions that reduce the income to below 18.5 per cent, MAT will not be applicable. In seven to 10 years, as MAT becomes redundant, it will be removed," he said. The government is also looking at setting a sunset date for most open- ended tax concession schemes, alongside a five percentage point reduction in the corporate tax rate in four years. The rate is 30 per cent, but is close to 23 per cent, on account of a large number of exemptions and deductions. The revenue forgone in 2012- 13 on account of ded