Include rural doctors, businessmen in tax net: Salehuddin

Deputy commissioners have been instructed to compile a list of businessmen, doctors, lawyers, and other public and private sector professionals in districts, upazilas, and villages who are earning taxable income, and to monitor the collection of taxes from them.

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed spoke to reporters after the second session of the Ministry of Finance at the Deputy Commissioner (DC) conference, held on Monday at Osmani Memorial Hall in Dhaka.

He stated that many people in rural areas are earning significant incomes, but are not paying taxes, according to reports from deputy commissioners. The aim is now to increase tax collection and revenue. The National Board of Revenue (NBR) will take the lead in this effort, and the deputy commissioners will provide a list of potential taxpayers.

Salehuddin further explained that efforts will be made to bring businessmen who make substantial sales, as well as doctors and lawyers who charge fees, under the tax net through the use of receipts or digital payment methods.

He noted that doctors and lawyers in the country engage in direct cash transactions, making it difficult to bring them under the tax net. In particular, he pointed out that doctors do not issue receipts for the fees they charge. However, if these fees were paid through digital platforms, there would be a record of the transactions. In other countries, such transactions are fully recorded.

Salehuddin also mentioned that attendants of doctors often collect fees in cash, and it is necessary to establish a system that ensures receipts are issued for these payments. He emphasised that such systems should be implemented for lawyers and other professionals as well.

Additionally, he said that deputy commissioners have raised concerns that many businessmen in rural areas are earning substantial incomes. The NBR has been directed to take action on this matter. He stressed that the tax base must be expanded, stating that while there are constant demands to reduce VAT and taxes, it is essential to maintain reasonable VAT and tax rates while broadening the tax net.