No alternative to expand tax net: NBR chairman

DHAKA, June 19: Internal Resources Division (IRD) Secretary and National Board of Revenue (NBR) chairman Md Ghulam Hussain has said there is no alternative to expand tax-net to increase revenue.

“We’ve taken necessary steps to achieve the revenue earning target in the budget. The NBR conducted a survey on 60,000 houses, flats and apartments in Dhaka. They will be brought under tax-net. They will have to explain how they built their flats and apartments,” he said while speaking at post-budget discussion organized by the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) at Officer’s Club at Bailey Road in the capital on Wednesday.

Responding to the question about the capability of NBR, he said perhaps the critics don’t know about the whole thing. “Revenue earnings have become almost double during the last four years. The revenue earning target in the proposed budget is not ambitious. Unless there is ambition, none will feel encouraged. Let the politics and revenue remain at their respective places. But, we must have to ensure environment,” he said.

 

With FBCCI President Kazi Akramuddin Ahmed in the chair, the discussion was attended by Finance Minister AMA Muhith as chief guest.

FBCCI’s senior vice-president Monwara Hakim Ali, former vice-presidents, vice-presidents and businessmen were present at the discussion.

In the open discussion, businessmen called for opening a research cell at the FBCCI to suggest utilization of black money, tax exemption on donations and gifts, implementation of a special economic zone and offering facilities to the plastic sector.