The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has received 50 per cent higher tax from the weeklong income tax fairs across the country that conclude Monday amid huge rush of taxpayers.
NBR received Tk 16.75 billion income tax and 149,309 tax returns from the tax fairs, held simultaneously in seven divisional cities and other district towns across the country on September 16-22.
Some 649,185 taxpayers obtained different services from the taxmen in filing tax returns and obtaining Taxpayer's Identification Number (TIN) in the fairs.
According to a press release of NBR, the number of service-seekers was 27.25 per cent higher this year compared to that of the tax fairs last year.
Some 15,907 new taxpayers obtained online TIN from the fairs, while some 10,838 existing taxpayers re-registered with the e-TIN system.
The revenue board has received 13.10 per cent higher tax returns for 2014-15 tax year in the fairs compared to that of the previous year.
On the last day, there was huge rush of taxpayers in the fairs despite hartal and inclement weather. The taxmen provided services to 104,552 taxpayers on the day.
NBR received Tk 3.59 billion income tax Monday, while some 34,539 taxpayers submitted income tax returns.
Some 3,066 new taxpayers obtained TIN, and 1,640 existing taxpayers re-registered them by obtaining fresh TIN on the last day of the fair.
NBR held a concluding ceremony at Officers' Club in the capital. State Minister for Finance MA Mannan attended the programme.
Of the seven-day tax fairs, three days were hartal - Thursday, Sunday and Monday. Taxpayers from distant places faced problems to reach the fairs. Also, continuous drizzle made the situation worse for them.
Despite all those obstacles, there was little space to stand on the fair premises following huge rush of taxpayers, especially for submission of tax returns.
People of all age-groups, including senior citizens, women, students, service holders and businessmen, were enthusiastic to obtain services at the tax fair. Fear of harassment and unusual hassle in submitting tax returns in the tax offices is gradually making the tax fair popular every year, they said.
In the fair, taxpayers can submit tax returns, pay tax online, obtain new TIN, re-register existing one, and avail voluntary services from taxmen in a congenial environment.
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