Week-long income tax fair begins tomorrow

The 10th edition of the week-long Income Tax Fair will begin in the country tomorrow in a bid to create massive awareness among people on tax as well as render tax- related services.

The fair will continue in all the divisional cities, including the capital, till November 20. The fair in the capital would be held on the Officers' Club Premises.

The slogan of this edition of the fair is "Sobai Mile Dibo Kor, Desh Hobe Swanirbhor' while the theme of the fair has been set at "Voluntary participation in paying taxes, implementation of vision is ensured".

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today issued separate messages on the eve of the week-long income tax fair.

In his message, President Hamid said the government is organizing income tax fair to encourage the people to pay tax and simplify the process of income tax payment.

"National Board of Revenue adds a new dimension not only to the tax culture but also the national culture through organising the income tax fair," he added.

The President urged all concerned to come forward spontaneously to give income tax for expediting the activities of the country's socioeconomic development.

In her message Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the government has been holding the income tax fair every year since 2010 aiming to mobilize adequate amount of internal resources.

The Prime Minister said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had established NBR in 1972 and the present government has taken various initiatives for modernization of the NBR, including simplifying the tax payment system.

Earlier, NBR Chairman Md Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan at a press conference said the fair will be held in all the district headquarters for four days while for two days in 48 upazilas.

Besides, a one-day 'mobile income tax fair' will be held at eight growth centers at upazila-level, he added.

Like the previous years, the taxpayers would get bank booth facilities on the fair premises to submit their tax returns side by side the tax officials would assist them at the designated support centres, the NBR Chairman said, adding, "All income tax related services will be available under one roof while the taxpayers would only need to bring the necessary papers."

He informed that the fair would facilitate e-TIN registration and submission of income tax returns, realization of taxes, providing assistance in filing up tax returns and necessary arrangements for providing training on tax education.

Mosharraf said a website has been launched highlighting all necessary data related to income tax while mobile banking services has also been introduced to pay taxes.