NBR collects Tk 30.26b income tax

The government received over Tk 30.26 billion in income tax against around 0.93 million returns submitted until 7:0pm Wednesday, the last return-submission date for individual taxpayers, officials said.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) received 111,797 income-tax returns and Tk 2.73 billion in income tax on Wednesday alone, said an NBR press statement.  

Until November 30, 2015, around 0.81 million returns were submitted and the government received income tax amounting to Tk 10.83 billion, the NBR release said.  

With the return-submission time being over, the tax authority "will now find out those who did not submit tax returns despite having taxable income", National Board of Revenue (NBR) chairman Md Nojibur Rahman said while inaugurating the Income Tax Day programme on the NBR premises.

However, many of the new taxpayers faced problem in obtaining new electronic Taxpayer Identification Number (e-TIN) for technical glitch.

To address the problem, the tax offices accepted tax returns with TIN application form for new taxpayers. Those who failed to obtain new TIN can also submit tax returns with the old TIN for the time being.

Tax offices received a large number of applications Wednesday from the taxpayers seeking additional time for submission of tax returns, officials said.

The tax week (November 24 to 30) also concluded Wednesday amid festive environment in the  tax offices. The NBR has instructed its officials to receive tax returns from the individual taxpayers until they want to submit.

Also, banks remained open until 8.pm to facilitate taxpayers pay tax.

The NBR chairman said the taxpayers will be encouraged to pay tax if proper environment is ensured for them.

"I have requested taxmen to provide better service similar to tax fair to the taxpayers whole year," he said.

He also instructed them to use decent language in the letters and notices that are sent to the taxpayers.

He said the finance minister set a goal to net 3,00,000 taxpayers in the current year but the NBR was able to register 5,00,000 in the first four months.

The NBR chairman inaugurated a rally on the occasion of celebrating tax day wherein members of the NBR, celebrities, representatives of civil society, students and cross-sections of people participated.