CPD blames tax officials for bribery

Researchers of Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) have stated that different business conglomerates have dodged taxes of BDT 2 lakh 26 thousand 236 crore during 2022-2023 fiscal year. According to CPD, they conducted a survey on revenue collection from taxpayers identification number (TIN) holders for the above period and their findings were as such.

CPD researchers have said that several officials belonging to National Board of Revenue (NBR) restrained business firms from using digital devices for paying taxes. CPD officials have commented that digital technologies reduce the extent of bribery but some unscrupulous NBR tax collectors daunted businessmen from accessing sophisticated technologies for submitting tax returns and for paying revenue to the government. As found through CPD's survey, 25% of the respondents submitted their tax returns through digital platforms during last couple of years.

The above facts and figures were revealed at CPD office in the capital's Dhanmondi on Monday during a press conference. Senior officials and research fellows of CPD addressed the press conference which was organized to share with journalists the focal points of the survey titled "Corporate Income Tax Reform for Graduating Bangladesh: The Justice Perspective". CPD carried out this survey on 123 companies located in Dhaka and Chattogram. The research observations and outcomes of the survey were presented to reporters by CPD Senior Research Associate Tamim Ahmed.

CPD has highlighted a few major reasons behind tax evasion such as high tax percentage, convoluted tax laws and widespread corruption and bribery in the tax management structure. CPD has suggested NBR to take immediate actions to stop bribery in tax offices, to enhance transparency and accountability among tax collectors and to install close circuit TV cameras inside the office rooms of higher functionaries who work in the NBR building. CPD researchers have also called upon the government to establish appropriate balance and pragmatic regulatory frameworks to hone and strengthen revenue collection strategies and policies. Tax officers should be instructed to submit categorical reports to higher authorities and exercising thorough audits and stronger monitoring on a regular basis have been emphasized by CPD.

CPD Senior Research Associate Tamim Ahmed said that there are 2 lakh 88 thousand registered companies on taxpayers' list but only 24 thousand 381 companies paid taxes during 2022-2023 fiscal years which is equal to only 9%. CPD researchers have commented that the load of taxes is often increased on the shoulders of regular taxpayers instead of taking actions against mega tax evaders.

CPD Research Director Khondaker Golam Moazzem said that the government will be in the middle of highly troublesome circumstances in paying subsidies, diversifying exports and building up skilled human resources if NBR officials fail to work soundly and transparently.