NBR probes discrepancies in candidates' declared income

The tax authority has begun investigating discrepancies between reported income and declared assets of candidates of the 13th parliamentary election.
Bank accounts of two candidates have already been frozen, while the tax intelligence team has reopened the past income tax records of another candidate, officials said.
A senior tax department official said most of those under scrutiny are independent candidates who either carelessly or intentionally concealed their actual income in tax returns.
However, he noted that the majority of candidates from major political parties submitted tax documents to the EC that were consistent with records filed with the National Board of Revenue (NBR).
"Still, we had to reopen the tax file of one heavyweight candidate, which is currently under investigation due to suspected inconsistencies in financial statements," he added.
A recent study by Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SHUJAN) found that nearly 35 per cent of the 2,026 candidates contesting the 13th parliamentary election -- about 707 individuals -- have no publicly available income tax returns.
SHUJAN Secretary Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar said the study identified missing tax returns in the public disclosures, which the EC is required to make available.
Under Bangladesh's election regulations, candidates must submit proof of filing income tax returns (ACK receipts) along with their nomination papers.
However, SHUJAN noted that income tax compliance among candidates has improved since the previous election, rising from 47.3 per cent to 65.1 per cent.
Dr Majumdar cautioned that lax enforcement by the EC could lead to complications and potential legal challenges.
"There is a clear requirement to submit income tax returns," he said.
Jesmin Tuli, former additional secretary of EC, said it is the responsibility of the Anti-Corruption Commission or NBR to prevent corrupt individuals or tax evaders from contesting elections.
As per the Representation of the Public Order (RPO), candidates must submit a copy of their most recent tax return to the commission, she said, making it clear that no certification from tax authorities regarding tax default status is needed to contest national elections.
"The EC is not responsible if any candidate evades tax," she added. However, if taxmen take any legal action or file criminal cases, then the candidate would not be eligible for contesting national polls.
It has been said wealth disclosure of candidates vary on the basis of wealth accumulation by their own and on inherited properties.
Director General of the Income Tax Intelligence and Investigation Directorate Rokib Uddin said that under income tax law, if candidates declare inherited property values based on rates mentioned in registered deeds, tax officials cannot take action.

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