BANGLADESH

Tax officials expect to raise about Tk 1 billion from the taxpayers in the six-day income tax fair starting from Saturday in Chittagong city.

Commissioner of tax zone-1 Ramendra Chandra Basak told this to reporters at the inaugural ceremony of the income tax fair organised by the income tax department at the gymnasium of M A Aziz Stadium in the port city on Saturday.

A total of 23,502 income returns were submitted, income tax amounting to Tk 401.2 million was paid and 2100 new TINs were issued at the previous income tax fair in the port city.

Addressing the function, primary and mass education minister M Afsarul Ameen said that the main objectives of the fair were to motivate taxpayers, draw the tax payment culture, remove fear and unwillingness about payment of income tax, and bridge the gap between taxpayers and tax collectors.

"The person who earns should submit income tax, but most of the people do not realise it."

Chaired by Ramesh Chandra Basak, the function was addressed, among others, by member of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) Mohammad Shahjahan.

The taxpayers will immediately be given a TIN (Tax Identification Number) certificate at the fair. New taxpayers will be able to obtain tax identification number (TIN) and people will be able to easily pay their returns at the fair.

The fair will offer taxpayers suggestions about obtaining TIN certificates and income tax payments while officials will help the payers fill out the forms of income tax returns.

There are a total of 24 stalls, including a booth of Sonali Bank and another booth of Janata Bank, in the fair. There are separate stalls for the women, autistic and older people.

Following the inaugural function, representatives of Young One Group handed over a pay order of Tk 7.2 million as income tax of its 200 officials to the minister. Ameen also received another pay order of Tk 20.5 million in income tax of 129 officials and teachers of the Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET).

Last year, the revenue board organised tax fairs in Dhaka and Chittagong, and a total of 52,440 taxpayers filed their income tax returns. The revenue collection was Tk 1.13 billion.