At least 100,562 businesses and professionals received new taxpayers identification number (TIN) during the ongoing drive across the country by the National Board of Revenue (NBR), officials said.
They constitute 64.67 per cent of the 155,500 businesses and professionals surveyed across the country until July 15, the officials said.
The revenue board kicked off the drive on March 29, 2007. Targeting businessmen and professionals, the board aimed to bring some 164,000 new taxpayers under the tax net in fiscal 2007-08.
The drive was scheduled to expire on June 30, last, but due to its slow progress the revenue board is continuing the survey.
"The board is yet to issue any official order on extension of the survey period. It might extend the time by another six month," a tax official said.
The board in March last started the survey in businesses and professionals in Dhaka city. Later, it was expanded to all the city corporations as well as the Rangpur Pourashava (municipality) on July 5.
Nearly 63 per cent of businessmen in old Dhaka and 62 per cent in Gulshan areas were without TIN, according to the survey.
7The NBR aims to net 72,000 new taxpayers in Dhaka city and 92,000 in other city corporations, including Rangpur municipality, during the period. The new taxpayers will have to start paying taxes from the next fiscal.
A total of 48 teams comprising 104 tax inspectors have been conducting the survey. The NBR has assigned 20 teams, including the existing eight, to work in Dhaka city.
On the other hand, 11 teams have been working in Chittagong, three in Rajshahi, five in Khulna, and three teams each in Barisal, Sylhet and Rangpur.
The revenue board is also continuing motivational programme to attract new taxpayers at upazilla level.
Officials said such a massive drive to raise the tax base will help the government increase the number of taxpayers in fiscal 2008-09.
