NBR to automate tax audits to end harassment

The tax authority plans to eliminate human intervention in the auditing of taxpayers' files by implementing an automated scrutiny system soon, the revenue board chief said on Sunday.
This decision came in response to complaints from the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) regarding undue harassment during tax audits.
In a meeting with the FBCCI leaders at the NBR, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan said instructions have already been given to the relevant team in this regard and they would start working on the automation process shortly.
The NBR Chairman also assured that efforts are underway to gradually automate the revenue management system.
FBCCI President Mahbubul Alam, along with other delegates including FBCCI Vice-President Md Munir Hossain and directors Mohammad Foyzur Rahman Bhuyian, MA Razzak Khan, Tapan Kumar Mazumder, Abu Murshid Chowdhury, Abul Kasem Khan, Pretty Chakrabarti, Md Amir Hossain Nurani, and Bangladesh Doakn Malik Samity President Helal Uddin, paid a courtesy call on the NBR chief.
The chamber leaders called for fast and proper implementation of the National Single Window as well as automation of customs, VAT and income tax procedures.
FBCCI president Mahbubul Alam said simplification of customs assessment process is necessary for ensuring business-friendly environment.
He suggested bringing all eligible people under tax net to increase the tax-to-GDP ratio and reforming the revenue administration.
He also proposed improving the NBR-FBCCI relationship, stopping audit-related harassment, making the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) system more effective, and taking firm action against corrupt officials.
The FBCCI leaders urged the NBR chairman to open a hotline number so that businesses can lodge complaints in case of harassment by taxmen.
Later, talking to the FE, the FBCCI president said the NBR chief has positively responded to the chamber leaders' proposals of forming three separate taskforces for amending three contradictory provisions in tax laws.
NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan agreed to establish taskforces to amend, refine, and update the income tax, customs, and VAT laws.
"FBCCI representatives and other private sector stakeholders would be members of these taskforces so that they can place demands and contribute to the amendments," he said.
NBR would remain vigilant to check any harassment of businesses by its officials, he added.
He also urged the businesses to maintain honesty and integrity while doing business.
The NBR chief also assured that the NBR would work on making the ADR system effective for income tax, VAT, and customs disputes.

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