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The Women Leadership Corporation spent Rs 11.80 lakh – around Tk 15 lakh after currency conversion – to have Bollywood diva Nora Fatehi attend an upcoming cultural event for 40 minutes in Dhaka, and paid 30 per cent Advance Income Tax in accordance with the law.
Confirming the matter, a National Board of Revenue (NBR) official on condition of anonymity said, “Women Leadership Corporation President Israt Jahan Maria had submitted a letter to the NBR on November 15 seeking clearance for bringing Fatehi to her event.”
Meanwhile, Israt Jahan told The Business Post, “We also submitted a bank guarantee and secured permission beforehand from NBR’s VAT wing, which is a must for organising an event with foreign celebrities.”
On November 15, the NBR had directed officials concerned to collect 10 per cent supplementary duty and 15 per cent value-added tax (VAT) from the cultural programme featuring Nora Fatehi.
Under the existing regulations, the organisers must submit a bank guarantee and secure permission beforehand. The revenue board also stated that since November 18, ticket sales for the event started, which violates the Value Added Tax and Supplementary Duty Act, 2012.
On November 13, the NBR requested the home, cultural affairs and other ministries to ensure payment of source tax, which is applicable on the honorarium and other related expenses for bringing in the Bollywood artist.
Replying to the directive, the organiser said in a recent application to the NBR, the Women Leadership Corporation declared that it has paid the income tax.
According to the organiser, they sent Rs 11.80 lakh honorarium to the artist on September 23. They will also spend Tk 10,000 for hotel rent including food costs, and perhaps Tk 25,000 for travel including airfare.
Israt Jahan on Wednesday said, “The actress will give awards to those who are working for the development and progress of women. Nora Fatehi will spend 40 minutes on the stage, and the star has already been fully paid.”
NBR says Shilpa Shetty’s Dhaka visit wasn’t taxed
An investigation of the NBR’s Central Intelligence Cell showed that Mirror Media and Production Ltd had brought in Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty to Dhaka for an event, but the firm did not secure permission from the government and evaded income tax.
The board is working to collect the evaded tax from the organiser.
To prevent a repetition of the Shilpa Shetty incident, the NBR is paying attention to the event involving Nora Fatehi and asked the concerned ministries and division in a letter to ensure income tax payoff for her upcoming visit to Dhaka.
On November 7, the information ministry published a letter granting permission for the arrival of the Canadian-born Indian actor.
Previously, Nora Fatehi was supposed to only come in December to take part in Mirror magazine’s award show. However, she was denied permission to perform by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, mainly due to the USD crunch.
