The country’s top taxpayers will be given the Commercially Important Person status for their contribution to the government exchequer, said commerce minister Tofail Ahmed on Tuesday.
‘I will talk to the finance minister [AMA Muhith] about giving CIP status to the top taxpayers and take necessary steps accordingly,’ said Tofail at the opening of the week-long income tax fair at Officers’ Club Dhaka premises.
The minister’s announcement came following a proposal of the National Board of Revenue chairman Ghulam Hussain.
‘The tax card receivers have requested the NBR to recognise them with CIP status, but the authority to award them with the prestigious status is under the authority of commerce ministry,’ said Ghulam.
Tofail said only 18 lakh people, out of total 16 crore, are now paying income taxes with only 12 lakh regular taxpayers.
‘The government placed a Tk 787 crore budget in FY1972-73 where the contribution of income tax was 7 per cent. But now the government has taken up a Tk 2,50,500 crore budget where the target for income tax contribution is 10 per cent,’ he said.
‘The volume must be increased,’ he said.
Tofail also suggested the NBR officials should be cordial while carrying out their responsibility and must ensure that the taxpayers are not harassed.
Ghulam said income tax will be the largest source of revenue beginning from this year.
NBR member (tax administration) Md Bashir Uddin chaired the opening session.
The income tax fair began on the day with a target of giving service to at least 8 lakh taxpayers and a motive to bring new taxpayers under tax net, officials said.
NBR officials said the board is planning to collect Tk1500 crore in revenue from the fair.
-With New Age input
