Online tax return should be more user-friendly

The Financial Express reported on November 20, 2018 that the collection at the income tax-fairs, which concluded on November 19, was around Tk. 24.68 billion. This is a very positive development. The collection marked an 11.35 per cent increase this year compared with that from last year's.

Submission of income tax returns at the fairs also jumped by 45 per cent this year. Of the total tax-returns, more than 3,700 taxpayers submitted their tax returns online. More than 1,100 taxpayers paid tax worth Tk 14 million through the e-payment portal.

Around 1.6 million people obtained different types of services at the tax-fairs. This is a 40 per cent increase over the number of people that obtained different services at the tax-fairs last year. At least 39,743 taxpayers obtained Taxpayer's Identification Number (TIN) from the tax-fairs.

All these are very encouraging. These prove that the objective behind the income tax fair has been successful. Additionally, these mean that citizens want to pay taxes.

Then why is the number of actual tax-payers still so low? This is because many people think that submitting tax return and the payment procedure is complicated. They also fear harassment at the hands of the tax people. Others think that miscalculations in assessing taxes will drive them to pay more.

I believe that if the tax authority makes submission of the online tax return easier, then fear and hesitation among people will not be there. They will then file taxes comfortably.

The government authorities can take advantage of how people in Bangladesh today like to try out services offered through websites and apps. Making the orders and requests through the websites and apps are very easy. The online stores and apps are earning quite a lot through these tools.

The government and the National Board of Revenue should consider this idea. If taken up and implemented properly, tax-payers will be able to file taxes from their personal computers or mobile phones. While such submissions will be more efficient for the tax-payers, easy online submission will also reduce corruption and harassment.

Such tools can be great at cutting the red-tape and ensuring more national revenue for the economy.

Mohammed Farhan

Mohakhali, Dhaka