42 MPs never paid income tax Forty-two out of 345 lawmakers, including three state ministers, have never paid any income tax, claiming they do not have taxable income. Sources at the Election Commission and the National Board of Revenue said most of these lawmakers have Tax Identification Numbers (TINs) but they do not pay any tax. A few do not even have their TINs. The 42 in question are from both the treasury and the opposition benches. An NBR official said each of these 42 MPs spent Tk 15 to 20 lakh in the parliamentary election and the limit for tax-free income is Tk 1,65,000 per year; so, it is hard to believe that they do not have taxable income. After scrutinising their wealth statements, the EC sent the list of the 42 lawmakers to the NBR. An adviser to the last caretaker government and a former high official of the central bank said the NBR should enquire whether they have taxable income and if necessary, action should be taken against them. NBR sources said they would hold discussion at the highest level of the government in this regard. They will also talk to the parliament speaker and whips on how they could be brought under the tax net. Another NBR official said many lawmakers pay tax but not as per their real income. The NBR is preparing to file cases against some lawmaker, both from the ruling party and the opposition, the official said. A high-ranking NBR official, however, told The Daily Star that the subject is very sensitive and action would be taken after discussion with the government. Former finance adviser to the last caretaker government Mirza Azizul Islam told The Daily Star, "The limit of tax free income is Tk 1,65,000. If anybody's income is below this amount, he naturally would not pay income tax. However, the NBR should enquire whether those people have taxable income." Replying to a question, Mirza Aziz said it is not believable that the MPs do not have annual income of Tk 1,65,000. However, none can be held responsible based on assumptions. The NBR has the scope to examine this and it should do that. Former deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank and now Chairman of Krishi Bank Khondker Ibrahim Khaled said it is an abnormal phenomenon that these lawmakers do not show taxable income. The NBR should investigate the matter. They spent at least Tk 20 lakh during the election and are now saying they do not have taxable income; this is unbelievable. Ibrahim Khaled said if the NBR investigation finds the lawmakers' income taxable, the political parties should decide on their party membership. The number of taxpayers in the country is only 7 lakh. To increase the number, the NBR has taken a programme to conduct survey down to upazila level. Ibrahim Khaled said before conducting the survey at upazila level, investigation should be carried out to reveal whether the MPs have taxable income. http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=110244 |
__._,_.___
