The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has directed officials to collect 10 per cent supplementary duty and 15 per cent value-added tax (VAT) from an upcoming cultural event featuring Bollywood sensation Nora Fatehi.
Earlier, the organisers stated that they have already paid 30 per cent income tax in line with the Income Tax Ordinance.
The directive issued on Tuesday states that the NBR VAT wing had learned about the event featuring Nora Fatehi, which is being organised by Women Leadership Corporation.
ALSO READ — Nora Fatehi can’t visit Dhaka without paying tax: NBR
Under existing regulations, the organisers must submit a bank guarantee and secure permission beforehand. However, the NBR has learned that the organisers have yet to take such steps.
The revenue board has learned that since November 18, ticket sales for the event have started, which violates the Value Added Tax and Supplementary Duty Act, 2012.
In the notice, the revenue board directed officials concerned to remain vigilant so that no entity can organise such a commercial event violating existing rules and regulations, and move forward with the programme without notifying the revenue board.
ALSO READ — Mirror evaded tax during Shilpa’s Dhaka visit: NBR
Earlier, an investigation of the National Board of Revenue’s (NBR) 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.
To prevent repetition of the Shilpa Shetty incident, the NBR – in a letter to the Public Security Division, Security Services Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and Ministry of Cultural Affairs – asked to ensure income tax payoff for Nora Fatehi’s upcoming visit to Dhaka.
On November 7, the Ministry of Information published a letter granting permission for the arrival of the Canadian-born Indian actor.
