No tax fair this year

The annual tax fair will not be held for the second year in a row amid the coronavirus pandemic but the National Board of Revenue says it will provide tax services throughout November.

Taxpayers will have the option to submit their income tax returns either at tax offices or online – the latter re-introduced after a long break.

Even though the tax fair could not be held due to the pandemic, tax
services will be provided from November 1 to 30 to develop a full month-long tax culture and raise awareness
among taxpayers,” NBR Chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem told the media at his Segunbagicha office on Tuesday.

Taxpayers will have to submit returns at NBR offices from November 1 to November 30.

“On the occasion of November tax service, taxpayers will receive some necessary services. Several programmes have been taken to this end,” Muneem said.

Service centres will have Electronic Tax Identification Number (e-TIN) registration and re-registration centres. The website of each tax region has necessary information services, including various forms related to income tax, circulars, and guidelines for filing returns.

Tax fairs aimed to motivate people to pay taxes and improve the country’s tax-GDP ratio, one of the lowest in the world. The initiative created a lot of enthusiasm among taxpayers.

A tax fair provides taxpayers with all sorts of services under one roof. NBR organised such fairs from 2010 to 2019 but the coronavirus outbreak forced its suspension since last year.

Muneem said income tax returns would be received during office hours in 649 circles of 31 tax regions in November. Taxpayers will receive receipts immediately after filing returns.

He said that there would be return acceptance booths and help desks at Bangladesh Secretariat and Officers Club from November 1 to 14 to facilitate the return of government officials. For Armed Forces members, all information services on return and tax will be provided for two days on Nov 9 and 10 at Sena Malancha in Dhaka Cantonment.

Tax cards will be issued to 141 top taxpayers on November 24 on the occasion of month-long tax service. At the district and city corporation level, 666 best taxpayers will be given crest, recognition and honorary certificates.

Outside Dhaka, the four tax regions of Chattogram will honour top taxpayers centrally, and all other tax regions will honour their top taxpayers through proper formalities under their own management.

The NBR chairman said that National Income Tax Day would be celebrated on November 30.