'Citizen Charter' in two weeks to ensure NBR transparency

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FE Report
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) chairman Muhammad Abdul Mazid said Wednesday the board will issue a 'Citizen Charter' within two weeks with a view to ensuring transparency in its operations.
The board will introduce the charter with an objective of informing the people about progress of its work, including information about the persons responsible for dealing with cases and specific schedule for disposal of tax files, Mazid said.
The NBR chief said this at a discussion on tax issues, organised by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) in the city.
He said the NBR will take due actions against the tax evaders to encourage others to pay taxes regularly.
Addressing at the meeting, the FBCCI president Mir Nasir Hossain requested the NBR chief to extend the individual tax return time, at least, by another 15 days. The deadline for submitting tax returns expires December 02 next.
The NBR chairman, however, ruled out such a possibility saying "There is no scope to extend the deadline further. But taxpayers of the affected areas will get time extension by making request to deputy commissioner of taxes (DCT) of their respective zones."
But, it will be considered on case-to-case basis, he said.
The NBR chairman attended the interactive discussion, as part of his series of meetings with the chamber bodies.
"Scrutinising data and reports, I have found a large gap between information and real fact. So direct communication with the businesses is better way to bridge that gap," Mazid said.
The government has to review overall situation on a number of times prior before to the preparation of the budget proposals. Such review must be continued round the year, he said.
He also underscored the need for reviewing policy issues related to investment considering the sluggish trend in investment.
"In order to gear up business activities, we will take suggestions from newly-formed 'Better Business Forum' and the Regulatory Reform Commission (RRC)," he said.
The FBCCI members requested the NBR chief to consider a number of tax related issues, including fixation of fiscal measures, considering interest of the local industries, review investment policies and reduction of discretionary power of tax officials etc.
Mazid assured the FBCCI leaders that he would sit with the board members to consider the recommendation of the apex chamber body.
Requesting the chamber leaders to give analytical information, Mazid said he would ensure logical and fair tax system in the country.
The FBCCI leaders requested the NBR chief to ensure taxpayer-friendly environment.
Difference of opinion over continuation of the pre-shipment inspection (PSI) system was noted among the chamber leaders at the meeting.
The FBCCI will give a brief report on the mandatory PSI system within a short time at the request of the NBR.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury (Parvez) said: "Local industries have been facing tough competition as the government has offered opportunities to investors inside the EPZs."