No expected result despite tax return filing deadline extension

Even though the tax return submission deadline has been extended, desired returns have not been filed. Experts say that the common taxpayers are suffering because of political instability, economic crisis, stagnation in business and trade, and high inflation and therefore they are not able to file tax returns within the deadline.

According to the National Board of Revenue (NBR), as of January 25, a total of 3,398,937 people at the individual and company levels have submitted returns. Out of them, 1,169,752 people have submitted e-returns. On the contrary, revenue of Tk 5,009 crore has been collected.

In the same period last year, the number of these returns was 3,248,183. Revenue collection was Tk4,705 crore. Although the submission and collection of returns increased compared to the same period last year, it is less than the expectation. This year, the NBR had expected that at least 5,000,000 returns would be submitted.

However, due to successful campaigns and extensive publicity, online return filing has increased significantly.

According to sub-section (b) of section 334 of the Income Tax Act, if the government orders during a pandemic, epidemic, natural disaster, or war, the board can extend the time for filing returns. The extension period is up to one month.

However, returns can be filed throughout the year. In that case, the taxpayer will not get any tax exemption. A penalty of 2 percent per month is also imposed.

However, this year the NBR has extended the deadline for filing tax returns two times. Although the order to extend the time for filing returns was issued, the NBR did not mention the main reason for this.

However, a top official of the organization, on condition of anonymity, said: “The increase in the cost of living is one of the important reasons for not filing returns as expected. In addition, many taxpayers who benefited from the Awami League government are now outside the country. Many are fleeing, and many are not in public. The business and trade situation in the country has also not gained normal momentum. This has affected the filing of returns.”

He also said that many new taxpayers have registered this year. They will be able to submit their returns in a self-determined manner until June 30. Overall, they hope that the number of returns filed this year will increase compared to last year.

This year, although online return submission has increased significantly due to the mandatory e-return in several cases. However, despite successful campaigns and extensive publicity, the total number of return filers is not satisfactory. Taxpayers are facing various problems while submitting their returns online. Solutions are being sought in specific tax areas.

Taxpayers are also facing difficulties due to rent increase notices at the end of the year, children's school fees, and rising commodity prices.

Taxpayers are also facing various problems while submitting their returns online. They are highlighting various problems including excessive pressure on the server, lack of opportunity for amendment returns, problems in registration, problems in downloading the final preview of the return, no option for correcting submitted returns, an option of unknown value of gold or furniture, and complications in FDR data input.