40 firms, individuals get tax cards
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) yesterday recognised the country’s 403 highest and long-term taxpayers in a bid to encourage better compliance and boost income tax collections.
In Dhaka and other divisional cities, 263 taxpayers received crests at receptions organised by the revenue authority for fiscal 2012-13.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith awards top taxpayers with tax cards, certificates and crests at a ceremony organised by the National Board of Revenue, at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel in Dhaka yesterday. Photo: Star
Additionally, 20 companies and 20 individuals were given tax cards for fiscal 2010-11 and 2011-12 by Finance Minister AMA Muhith at an event at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel in Dhaka.
The NBR will also award 100 taxpayers from districts and city corporations for fiscal 2012-13 at the tax fair that begins today.
“This is a very good step, one that will encourage others to come forward to pay tax,” said Salahuddin Kasem Khan, managing director of AK Khan & Co Ltd, which secured its name among the top ten taxpayers for the third year running.
“A taxpayer-friendly attitude by the government will change the whole scenario.”
Four directors of the Chittagong-based company also secured positions on the list of highest individual taxpayers in fiscal 2011-12. Khan said payment of taxes by all would help the country become a middle-income country.
“We will all be benefited,” he said, while urging the government to develop adequate infrastructure, facilitate foreign direct investment, maintain industrial peace and provide policy support to encourage entrepreneurship.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith awards top taxpayers with tax cards, certificates and crests at a ceremony organised by the National Board of Revenue, at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel in Dhaka yesterday. Photo: Star
He also advised the NBR to take the tax fair, which it has been holding since 2010, to upazila level. This year, the tax fair will take place in all district towns, beginning today.
Muhith said the government tries to create a “taxpayer-friendly atmosphere” and reduce the taxpayers’ hassles.
“Introduction of the tax card is part of that effort.”
“By paying taxes one renders duties to the society,” Muhith said, adding that the government has revised laws and increased manpower of the NBR to boost income tax collection, now the second biggest source of revenue after value-added tax.
He said income tax collection soared more than 200 percent since fiscal year 2008-09 and the tax-GDP ratio also increased.
Ghulam Hussain, chairman of NBR, cited the introduction of online registration for taxpayer identification numbers (TINs) as an example of “lessening taxpayers’ hassles” that Muhith spoke of.
Online registration for TIN stood at 2.6 lakh since its launch in July. Of them, 55,000 are new taxpayers, he said.
“It means that there are many potential taxpayers in the country,” he said, while citing NBR’s estimate of 60 lakh potential taxpayers in the country against the 17 lakh TIN holders at present.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith awards top taxpayers with tax cards, certificates and crests at a ceremony organised by the National Board of Revenue, at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel in Dhaka yesterday. Photo: Star
Four directors of pharmaceuticals firm Drug International Ltd also appeared on the list of top individual taxpayers.
“Four generations of us have been in business. Tax payment has become part of our family heritage,” said MA Haider Hussain, managing director of Drug International Ltd.
“Tax payment is essential for the development of the country. One cannot live better without the betterment of others. Wealth has to be distributed among all—otherwise, we cannot ensure peace in society.”
In the port city, 30 taxpayers from five districts in greater Chittagong and Chittagong City Corporation were honoured at a ceremony organised at the premises of NBR’s office in Chittagong.
“Direct taxes like the income tax play a significant role in the development of the country,” said Afsarul Ameen, primary and mass education minister, who handed over the crests.
He said the recent development activities undertaken in the port city and capital were funded by the taxes received by the government.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith awards top taxpayers with tax cards, certificates and crests at a ceremony organised by the National Board of Revenue, at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel in Dhaka yesterday.
Source: The Daily Star
