Businesses from a wide range of sectors at a dialogue on Monday complained to the National Board of Revenue that they were facing extreme harassment and discriminatory enforcement of laws by the field-level value-added tax officials.
At the partnership dialogue with the revenue board, they alleged that the VAT officials were conducting raids at different business houses and offices and seizing documents causing severe disruption in business process.
Traders have become terrified due to intensified raids and harassment in different forms to meet the large revenue collection target, they alleged.
They also complained about the VAT officials’ corruption and misconduct.
The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry organised the dialogue with its president Abdul Matlub Ahamad in the chair at the FBCCI conference room in the capital.
NBR chairman Md Nojibur Rahman attended the programme as chief guest.
‘We want to pay VAT and other taxes in a hassle-free environment, but we don’t want to spend additional Tk 3 for paying only Tk 1 in tax,’ Matlub said.
Revenue collection will increase by manifold if the situation improves, he said.
FBCCI first vice-president Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin said that certainly the revenue board would enforce the laws to collect revenue but there should not be any harassment in the name of enforcement.
Bangladesh Dokan Malik Samity president SA Quader Kiron alleged that VAT officials were even threatening the shop owners with arrest while conducting raids.
‘You, the NBR, will not be able to collect VAT by giving threats. Behave gently, traders will pay VAT,’ he said.
Regarding VAT on trade licence fees, he said that traders would not pay this VAT.
‘There will be a mass movement if the NBR does not withdraw the VAT,’ he said.
He also urged the NBR to bring all eligible shopkeepers under VAT net for ensuring equal treatment to all.
Former FBCCI vice-president Mostafa Azad Chowdhury Babu said that VAT officials were conducting raids at some selected shops and business offices in a certain area, leaving others untouched.
In that situation, some traders are paying VAT while others are not, creating discrimination among the traders, he said.
The NBR should ensure equality in enforcing tax laws, he said.
Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Jashim Uddin suggested that the revenue board should work with businesses to solve the problems related to VAT.
FBCCI director Mohabbat Ullah blamed the field-level officials for disturbing the traders excessively to meet the huge revenue collection target.
‘Traders want to continue doing business with honour and in a hassle-free way,’ said Siddiqur Rahman, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association.
‘So, ensure a business-friendly tax environment,’ he said.
In reply, Nojibur assured the traders that there would be no harassment in future as he instructed the field officials for improving their behaviour and attitude towards taxpayers.
The revenue board has taken a zero tolerance policy against corruption, harassment and misconduct, he said.
NBR member (customs policy) Farid Uddin urged the traders to assist the tax officials in detecting tax evading business firms.
NBR members Parvez Iqbal and Enayet Hossain, and representatives from different trade bodies and associations also spoke at the programme.
At the partnership dialogue with the revenue board, they alleged that the VAT officials were conducting raids at different business houses and offices and seizing documents causing severe disruption in business process.
Traders have become terrified due to intensified raids and harassment in different forms to meet the large revenue collection target, they alleged.
They also complained about the VAT officials’ corruption and misconduct.
The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry organised the dialogue with its president Abdul Matlub Ahamad in the chair at the FBCCI conference room in the capital.
NBR chairman Md Nojibur Rahman attended the programme as chief guest.
‘We want to pay VAT and other taxes in a hassle-free environment, but we don’t want to spend additional Tk 3 for paying only Tk 1 in tax,’ Matlub said.
Revenue collection will increase by manifold if the situation improves, he said.
FBCCI first vice-president Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin said that certainly the revenue board would enforce the laws to collect revenue but there should not be any harassment in the name of enforcement.
Bangladesh Dokan Malik Samity president SA Quader Kiron alleged that VAT officials were even threatening the shop owners with arrest while conducting raids.
‘You, the NBR, will not be able to collect VAT by giving threats. Behave gently, traders will pay VAT,’ he said.
Regarding VAT on trade licence fees, he said that traders would not pay this VAT.
‘There will be a mass movement if the NBR does not withdraw the VAT,’ he said.
He also urged the NBR to bring all eligible shopkeepers under VAT net for ensuring equal treatment to all.
Former FBCCI vice-president Mostafa Azad Chowdhury Babu said that VAT officials were conducting raids at some selected shops and business offices in a certain area, leaving others untouched.
In that situation, some traders are paying VAT while others are not, creating discrimination among the traders, he said.
The NBR should ensure equality in enforcing tax laws, he said.
Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Jashim Uddin suggested that the revenue board should work with businesses to solve the problems related to VAT.
FBCCI director Mohabbat Ullah blamed the field-level officials for disturbing the traders excessively to meet the huge revenue collection target.
‘Traders want to continue doing business with honour and in a hassle-free way,’ said Siddiqur Rahman, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association.
‘So, ensure a business-friendly tax environment,’ he said.
In reply, Nojibur assured the traders that there would be no harassment in future as he instructed the field officials for improving their behaviour and attitude towards taxpayers.
The revenue board has taken a zero tolerance policy against corruption, harassment and misconduct, he said.
NBR member (customs policy) Farid Uddin urged the traders to assist the tax officials in detecting tax evading business firms.
NBR members Parvez Iqbal and Enayet Hossain, and representatives from different trade bodies and associations also spoke at the programme.
Source: New Age
