All facilities for tax payment under one roof

Jamil Hossain, a businessmen of consumer products, has been paying tax for the last eight years. But he used to face many hassles while paying tax at the Income Tax Department until he had come across the Income Tax Fair three years back.  

"All facilities are available here [at the fair]. Only thing he does is that he brings necessary documents. Staffers of the Income Tax Department at a stall do everything. He does not face any hassle," Jamil told The Business Standard.  

Like Jamil Hossain, every year many others wait for the Income Tax fair for tax payment. 

After the formal inauguration of the weeklong fair at the GEC Convention Centre in Chattogram on Thursday, the throng of taxpayers started to increase.  In the afternoon, the fair premises witnessed a big turnout of visitors.  

On the first day of the fair, a total of 4,993 tax returns were submitted and Tk33,18,75,754 was collected.    

"Tax payment at the income tax department was time-consuming. We also had to give bribe as without money our file did not move," said Mahim Uddin, a businessman of travel agency, while talking to this correspondent.

Now there is no such opportunity of taking bribe at the fair. Everything is going smoothly, he added.   

Tax Commissioner GM Abul Kalam, also convener of the fair organizing committee, said taxpayers are getting all kind of tax-related services, like e-TIN, re-registration, tax return submission, in the tax fair. Bank booths are also available there for paying tax. 

There is also one-stop service centre to ensure a hassle-free atmosphere for the taxpayers submitting their tax returns, he added.

Taxpayers only have to bring necessary documents with them. Besides, there are separate booths for women, freedom fighters and elderly people at the fair, he also said. 

The fair will remain opened from 9am to 5pm till November 20. 

Some 46 stalls of different organisations, including Sonali Bank, Janata Bank, Basic Bank, are set up at the fair.

Earlier, at the inaugural ceremony, Chattogram City Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin said, "Paying tax is the responsibility of all citizens. If we all give tax, the country will be developed."

Member of National Board of Revenue Syed Golam Kibria, Custom Excise and Vat Commissioner Mohammad Enamul Haque and President of Chittagong Taxes Bar Association Jamal Uddin also spoke on the occasion.