Businesses yesterday complained of harassment by revenue officials for tax collection, saying they want to pay tax with dignity and in a proper and transparent manner.
Some business leaders alleged that field-level officials sometimes misbehaved with taxpayers.
They also alleged that the officials continue to chase those who already pay taxes instead of putting in efforts to bring in the still untaxed population and businesses under the tax net.
“They suddenly raid our shops and take away documents. Some also threaten us, saying they can arrest us,” said SA Quader Keron, chairman of Bangladesh Shop Owners Association.
“The NBR will not get tax by threatening us.”
Keron’s comments came at a dialogue on revenue matters, organised by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry at its headquarters.
Representatives of businesses from a wide range of sectors shared their views and experiences of dealing with the officials of the National Board of Revenue.
NBR Chairman Md Nojibur Rahman and three members of the revenue authority were present at the programme chaired by FBCCI President Abdul Matlub Ahmad.
Citing examples, Keron said some inspectors do not want to accept documents submitted by the firms’ employees.
“Instead, they want the owners to visit the tax office. When the owners meet the revenue officials, they are asked to pay extra money.”
“We all want to pay tax but do not want to be harassed,” said Md Siddiqur Rahman, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association.
“We humbly request you [NBR] not to harass or embarrass us. We want to do business with dignity.”
He also urged the revenue authority to remove the discrepancies in decisions on tax, VAT and duty.
Matlub Ahmad of FBCCI said the businesses do not want to spend Tk 3 to pay Tk 1 in tax.
The field officials sometimes behave in a manner that suggests that businesses are thieves, according to FBCCI Director Abu Motaleb.
Khandaker Ruhul Amin, another FBCCI director, said the current VAT structure is high for restaurants, which forces many to go for illegal deals with field-level revenue officials.
“We have to build a relationship with tax officials to survive,” he said, adding that a reduced rate of VAT at 4 percent would cut down this practice and allow the tax authority to get more revenues from restaurants.
On the issue, FBCCI Vice-President Md Shafiul Islam said: “We want to build a relationship from our heart, not through illegal means. We want to do business and pay tax in a transparent manner.”
Former FBCCI director Mohabbat Ullah alleged that the NBR officials always target those who are already in the tax net.
Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association President Jashim Uddin suggested the revenue board work together with businesses to solve the problems tied to tax.
In response, NBR Chairman Md Nojibur Rahman vowed zero-tolerance to corruption, harassment, indiscipline and misconduct.
“The paradigm for harassment has to be ended. We will move forward by taking on businesses as partners. We work for the people and generate revenue for the people.”
Rahman said the revenue officials who are yet to change their old style of work and attitudes have to change their behaviour.
Farid Uddin, member of customs policy at NBR, requested businesses to be compliant so that the state can carry out its development plans.
“None of my colleagues will visit you if you act responsibly and make all your peers compliant.”
Source: The Daily Star
