NBR\'s \'Halkhata Utsob\' fetches Tk 5.66b arrears

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has realised an arrear of Tk 5.66 billion through the 'Halkhata Utsob' it observed for the first time across the country Thursday.

Income tax contributed highest with Tk 3.06 billion, followed by customs Tk 2.07 billion and Value Added Tax (VAT) Tk 530 million.

The tax offices celebrated the day across the country marking the occasion of the Bengali New Year for the first time in the history.

Officials said they received encouraging response from both the individual and corporate taxpayers at the Halkhata Utsob.

NBR member (Income tax administration and human resource development) Abdur Razzaque said taxpayers responded to the initiative positively and amid a festive mood.

"The initiative will continue in future. Halkhata Utsob has been included in the revenue culture from this year. Earlier, it was only in the businesses," he added.   

Large Taxpayers Units (LTUs) under the income tax and VAT wings had also arranged discussion meetings with the representatives of the banks, non-banking financial institutions and other large taxpayers.

State minister for health and family welfare Zahid Maleque, the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) president Abdul Matlub Ahmad and Green Delta Insurance Limited adviser Nasir A Choudhury attended the programme, among others.

LTU income tax commissioner Alamagir Hossain said the taxpayers' willingness to pay the arrears at the Halkhata Utsob was encouraging. The LTU is committed to ensure revenue-friendly environment for the taxpayers, he added.

LTU VAT commissioner Matiur Rahman said Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) of 30 companies took part at a seminar on the sidelines of the festival and exchanged views on Alternative Dispute Resolutions (ADR) and other processes of realizing revenue.

The 30 companies together contribute 40 per cent of the total VAT collection of the NBR.   

Chittagong Customs House (CCH), that contributes one-fifth of the total revenue, received Tk 1.83 billion revenue at Halkhata Utsob.

Tax zone-2 received highest income tax of Tk 571 million through 478 pay orders submitted by the corporate taxpayers.

LTU under the income tax wing received Tk 284 million in income tax, followed by zone-1 Tk 280 million, zone-11 Tk 165 million, zone-10 Tk 158 million, zone-12 Tk 45 million, zone-5 Tk 65 million, zone-7 Tk 13 million and zone-6 received Tk 37 million.

Benapole Customs House received Tk 13.5 million in arrear revenue.

LTU VAT received Tk 108 million VAT from large corporate taxpayers.

VAT Dhaka south commissionarate received Tk 40 million while Dhaka north received Tk 27 million.    

Performers, artists, cricket players and renowned personalities joined the festival at their respective tax offices.

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