The National Board of Revenue (NBR) chairman has said that they will not look into the tax evasion issue of those who will contest in the 11th general election.
Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan made the statement while briefing the media on the upcoming Income Tax Fair 2018 at the NBR in Dhaka’s Segunbaghicha on Sunday.
Responding to a query, he said: "If the taxes of candidates contesting in the polls are paid or if they need to collect the tax certificate, they are doing that on their own. We will not look into everyone.
“The election-relation activities are already underway, that is why we are not going to do anything in this regard now.”
There was also no way that the revenue collection would drop due to the election, he added.
Asked whether action would be taken against candidates who are VAT or tariff evaders, Mosharraf said: "Let this election take place first. We will look into this matter after the new government takes office."
The Election Commission has announced the holding of the next general election on December 23.
All political parties either have started or will begin selling forms to nomination seekers.
Responding to another question about the corruption in NBR's income tax department, Mosharraf on Sunday also said: "I am yet to receive the ACC [Anti-Corruption Commission] report, but I disagree with ACC about this.
"There is corruption everywhere around the country. To change that, we have to change our social system first. A neutral investigation will also find corruption inside the ACC."