A week-long income tax fair kicked off across the country yesterday, aimed at providing tax-related assistance and motivating people to contribute to the national exchequer.
National Board of Revenue (NBR) organised the fair for the fifth consecutive year to assist the existing taxpayers to register with Electronic Taxpayers Identification Number, pay tax, file returns and encourage prospective taxpayers to get involved with the taxation system.
This year the fair is being held at all seven divisional headquarters and 57 districts. The divisional headquarters are holding it for seven days while 54 districts for four days at their convenience.
In three hill districts – Bandarban, Khagrachari and Rangamati – it would be for two days. But the one in Bandarban, it would be a roving one.
During a visit to the tax fair at Officers Club premises in the capital, it was found that taxpayers of different ages and categories were inquiring about the services while some others taking assistance from taxmen.
As the official deadline for submission of income tax for the income year 2013-14 will end on September 30, taxpayers are gathering at the fair venue to file their returns.
“I have been paying tax since 1988. As the fair was introduced in 2010, I have been visiting the fair every year as taxmen provides hassle free services from this fair,” said Rahmat Ali Bhuiyan, a 54-year-old taxpayer.
“Tax officials help us solve any kind of problems and teaches us about the process here. But the scene is completely different in the circle offices. So, I submit my return here.”
The taxpayers always express dissatisfaction amid widespread allegations that the tax officials do not
facilitate taxpayers without speed money.
But the fair every year draws huge crowd as people get the tax related facilities from the fair in a client-friendly manner.
The Dhaka Tribune correspondent found Sharmin Nahar Nira at the e-TIN registration booth where she was taking assistance from the tax officials on how to register.
“I was planning to pay tax for a long period of time, but never managed to do so. Following newspaper advertisements, I came to the fair to get registered with e-TIN. I hope I would be a respected taxpayer from the next year when I will file my return,” she said.
To facilitate tax-related transactions and to help the visitors, E-TIN registration booths, E-payment booths, 44 income tax return filing booths, 20 help and inquiry desks, emergency health booths, form distribution booths, media booth etc were set up at the fair premises in Dhaka.
There are also booths of Sonali Bank and Janata Bank to facilitate financial transactions.
Around 100 rover scout members have been deputed at the fair premises to help taxpayers get the services.
The fair remains open for the visitors from 10am to 6pm. The visitors would be offered to get the electronic TIN registration instantly.
Last year, the NBR had bagged Tk1,117 crore of income tax from the fair. A total of 510,145 people obtained services from the fair while 12,337 people registered themselves with e-TIN and 74,356 people re-registered. Some 132,017 tax returns were submitted.