Expand tax net, reduce hassle

FE Report | Published: August 18, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

The country's small businesses and shop owners have urged the taxmen to expand income tax net and reduce harassment in tax collection.
They also urged the income tax officials not to impose heavy burden of tax on shop owners only but also impose tax on makeshift stalls that are making windfall profit escaping the taxmen's eyes.
The small traders made the demands at a taxpayers' opinion-exchange programme, arranged by income tax zone-6 in the city on Monday.
Tax commissioner Meftah Uddin Khan presided over the meeting, also attended by Bangladesh Shop Owners Association President SA Quader Keron, Dhaka Mohanogor Dokan Malik Samity president Tawfique Ehsan, City Corporation Market Federation and New Market Babosayee Samity president Zahir Uddin Babar, and Basundhara City Shopping Mall Dokan Malik Samity president MA Hannan Azad.
Tax commissioner said the door of his tax zone is open for taxpayers to lodge any complain on harassment.
"Already the tax authority has opened service centres to facilitate taxpayers. The authority is monitoring their activities, and will take instant step on any irregularity."
There will be a taxpayers' day every month in the zone to exchange opinions with the taxpayers. An insignificant number of taxpayers came under the taxmen's audit following specific suspicion, he added.
Mr Meftah urged the shop owners to display their Taxpayers Identification Number (TIN) certificate at shops as per order of the revenue board.
The president of Bangladesh Shop Owners Association said fear-factor is the main reason, for which the taxpayers cannot talk with the taxmen frankly.
He said the tax authority can introduce reward for the small traders for paying the highest tax.
The president of Dhaka Mohanagor Shop Owners' Association alleged that taxmen are busy in collecting bribe instead of tax.
Tawfique Ehsan said hawkers are gaining profit with low investment, but they are not included in tax net.
Zahir Uddin Mohammad Babar said the taxpayers are facing hassles despite paying tax in self-assessment method.
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