Jail for zero return filing aims to raise awareness, not to scare: NBR chairman

National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan said that the punishment of up to five years in prison for submitting false or incorrect information about income, expenses, assets, or liabilities in income tax returns is not a new rule. This law is intended not to frighten people but to increase awareness among taxpayers.

He made these remarks on Tuesday (August 12) during a press conference in the Multipurpose Hall of the Ministry of Finance at the Secretariat.

The press conference was attended by Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Anisuzzaman Chowdhury, Finance Secretary Dr. Md. Khairuzzaman Mozumder, Secretary of the Financial Institutions Division Nazma Mobarak, and Secretary of the Economic Relations Division Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky.

Abdur Rahman Khan said, “We have not introduced any new laws; we are simply reminding people about the existing ones.”

He added, “Social media and some shops are promoting the practice of filing zero returns, which is dangerous. If a return is audited, taxpayers won’t be able to respond because the information provided is false.”

He further said, “Providing false information is a punishable offense, and this law aims to raise awareness among people. At the same time, NBR is expanding online return submission services, which have already received a strong response. Every day, between 10,000 and 20,000 people pay their taxes online.”

Addressing the allegations of mass layoffs of protesting NBR officials, the chairman clarified that no such decision has been taken. Only those who have overstepped their limits have been issued show-cause notices, and appropriate actions have been taken against them. There has been no large-scale termination, and the government has no intention of reducing manpower in this manner.