The New Nation - Internet Edition

THE National Board of Revenue and its officials have obtained more positive responses from tax payers this time. More people have submitted their tax returns for payment of tax. Tax payers from different sectors of the economy are required to submit income tax returns to the National Board of Revenue. The trend so long had been to showing lower ranges of their earnings and pay minimum revenue to the treasury. Some people even did not submit income tax returns and thus avoided paying taxes.

Since the declaration of emergency and the moves of the caretaker government to encourage people to enroll themselves in the list of tax-payers the responses have increased. That being so, the collection of revenue has shown an upturn. Compared to the collection of the last fiscal year, the collection in the current fiscal year has virtually tripled.

The taxpayers have already paid a sum of seven hundred thirty- nine crore Taka to the treasury. The uptrend may continue in subsequent years mainly due to positive response from the taxpayers. If the systems and procedures for calculation of income from different sources are further simplified and the documents thereupon printed and distributed to tax-payers as well as potential new tax payers, the response may be much more positive. If need be, the documents on simplified tax calculation procedures may be distributed to tax-payers through workshops and seminars held at district and upazila levels. Tax officials should also be trained on the more simple methods and procedures of revenue collection.

As reported in the press, the Chairman of the National Board of Revenue has expressed his satisfaction at positive response of the tax-payers. The NBR may take further steps for bringing more people in the tax-net.

It is worth noting that the incumbent caretaker government has taken steps and made some legal and procedural improvements for collecting taxes and rates from different sectors of the economy. The revenue resources thus collected would be spent for meeting the needs of the people and implementing development projects. The response from tax-payers should be welcomed and properly nursed for obtaining higher revenue income. The government, official agencies and the business community have to work hand in hand for increasing revenue earnings of the government.