FT ONLINE

The National Board of Revenue has collected a record Tk1,064 crore in income tax in the first three days of the ongoing weeklong Income Tax Fair at different venues across the country.

The collection has grown by Tk60 crore when compared to the amount -- Tk1,004 crore -- received during the corresponding period of the previous edition of the fair.

According to data revealed by the revenue authority, around 2.22 lakh taxpayers have filed their income tax returns in the first three days of the fair this year. The figure was around 1.85 lakh during the same period of the last year's event.

A record 6.74 lakh people have also taken tax-related services at different venues across the country. The figure was 6.11 lakh in the first three days of last year's fair. 

The revenue authority also said it collected Tk262 crore from 84,534 taxpayers on Saturday alone. On the third day of the tax fair, around 2.72 lakh people received tax-related services.  

On Saturday, the fair was held in eight divisional cities, 56 districts, and 56 Upazilas.

The coordinator of the nationwide income tax fair and a member of the revenue board, Kalipada Halder said, "The Income Tax Fair this year is more organised than any other previous edition. E-payment and mobile payment systems have been introduced this year."

"Taxpayers are submitting their tax returns in a hassle-free environment," added Kalipada Halder. 

This year, the weeklong fair is being held at eight divisional headquarters, while as many as 56 districts are observing a four-day-long revenue collection event. 

A total of 132 Upazilas will hold a two-day-long tax fair, while taxpayers in 70 Upazilas will be able to submit their returns at a day-long programme which is scheduled to be held between November 14 and November 20.

Taxpayers satisfied with services

Taxpayers expressed their satisfaction with the services they received at the tax fair. They said such an arrangement eased their tax payment process.

"This is really inspiring," said a taxpayer named Rafiqul Islam, who paid Tk42,812 in income tax at the capital's tax fair. 

He said, "I just came and completed all procedures within a short time. There was a long queue but it was completely hassle-free."