The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has taken an initiative to introduce a mobile application and software, aiming to check cases of tax evasion and increase the number of taxpayers. The revenue-collecting authority thinks launching of the app and software will bring dynamism into the revenue administration, and help bring a large number of eligible taxpayers under the tax net, an NBR senior official told the news agency.
According to the existing income tax law, any business entity and service-providing person must hang the taxpayer identification number (TIN) in their offices or business organisations. But it is not practised properly, which causes confusion as to whether the business or service-provider have their TINs or not. “That’s why NBR is planning to make it mandatory to hang tax payment certificate,” said the official. He said using the software, all 649 tax circles will be linked to the mobile app. Through this app, anyone will be able to check whether the tax payment certificate is genuine or effective, or an expired one. “With the app, it will even be possible to lodge complaints with the respective tax circle,” he said. The NBR official hoped when businessmen see customers checking whether they have paid taxes or not, they will feel obliged to pay their taxes. “As a result, revenue collection will increase and tax evasion cases will come down,” he said. Through the app, it would be possible to check the status of tax payment and the certificate will automatically be cancelled in absence of regular payment. Ineffective certificate means the particular person or organisation does not pay tax. “There’s no need to provide extra information in this regard,” the NBR official said. He also mentioned that NBR is trying hard to increase the number of taxpayers to one crore within the next two years. As part of the initiative, a tax survey has started. “Enhancing capability in technology will help us bring more dynamism into tax administration,” the official said.

Source: The Daily Star

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