Tax fair-like environment to be at zonal offices in Nov: NBR 

Highlights

• Like 2020, there will be no tax fair this year too due to pandemic 
• Submission of income tax returns at zonal offices on 1-30 Nov
• Taxpayers will be provided with receipts immediately
• 141 top taxpayers will be awarded tax cards 

Instead of organising an income tax fair amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has undertaken extensive activities for return submissions "in a festive mood" in all the tax zones throughout November. 

"Submission of income tax returns will continue uninterruptedly during office hours till 30 November in 649 circles in 31 tax zones across the country. Taxpayers will be given a receipt immediately," NBR Chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem told a press briefing at his office in Dhaka yesterday. 

In addition, individuals who do not pay tax at source can also file income tax returns online.

The NBR did not organise the income tax fair due to the pandemic last year too. 

The NBR chairman said necessary preparations have been made to facilitate the tax payment at the income tax offices. The website of each tax zone would include various income tax-related forms, circulars, guidelines for filing return, video tutorials and other necessary information. 

Although there is no income tax fair, the NBR will organise a two-day programme at the Bangladesh Secretariat and the Officers' Club Dhaka for government officials, and at the Sena Malancha convention hall for the members of the armed forces to receive income tax return. 

Some of the taxpayers cannot submit income tax returns online this year too. Explaining the reason for it, Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem said, "The system has not been developed completely yet. The organisations that collect tax at source are not integrated with the system, but it will be done soon."  

Earlier, the NBR said all the taxpayers would be able to file tax returns online this year.

At the press briefing, the NBR said 141 top taxpayers will be awarded tax cards and 525 more taxpayers at city corporations and district level will be honoured on 24 November. 

The National Income Tax Day will be observed across the country on 30 November, said the NBR. 

According to the NBR, around 18 lakh people have registered for electronic tax identification number (e-TIN) in the last 14 months. With this, the number of e-TIN holders has reached 67.93 lakh in the country.

The number of new e-TIN holders increased by five lakh since last July. It increased by 13 lakh or 26% in FY21 compared to the previous year.

Although the number of e-TIN holders has increased across the country, the number of people who submit income tax returns has not increased at the same ratio. 

Out of 50 lakh e-TIN holders, 22 lakh submitted income tax returns last year, according to the NBR.

Regarding the matter, the NBR chairman said, "We do not want to take any tough action in this regard that will spread fear among the general taxpayers."

Senior NBR officials were present at yesterday's press conference.