Finance Minister AMA Muhith yesterday stressed simplification of the income tax law to encourage more people for paying tax.
People are unlikely to show eagerness to pay tax if the self-assessment system of the income tax law is amended making it easier, he said.
The minister made the observation while inaugurating the “Tax Information and Service Centre” at the secretariat. The National Board of Revenue (NBR) introduced the centre.
The tax center will provide services from September 6-10 to the officials of the secretariat during office hours.
Muhith also suggested the tax authorities to encourage people instead of forcing them to pay tax.
Among the 16 crore population, only 17 lakh pay tax which is shameful, the minister said, adding that the number has to be raised to 30lakh.
State Minister for Finance and Planning MA Mannan and Cabinet Secretary Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan attended the programme as special guests with NBR Chairman Md Nojibur Rahman as chair.
“We are building teamwork to increase the revenue collection for the government,” said MA Mannan.
He also said the income tax fair and establishment of tax information and service centre have already positive impact on expediting the revenue collection.
The NBR chairman said the centre was established to give information to secretariat officials and employees over submitting their tax returns. However, other people visiting secretariat can take service from the centre as well.
From the current fiscal, the government officials are now liable to pay income tax on their income from bonus and festival allowances, along with the basic pay.
