Call centre to address VAT queries after Eid

The revenue authority is going to launch a call centre after Eid-ul-Azha to answer value added tax related queries, said officials.

Taxpayers can get answers to their queries by calling 16555 from 9am to 5pm on office days. Taxpayers will also get other services from the VAT Online Contact Centre.

The National Board of Revenue will open 12 online contact centres at every VAT commissionerate so that businesses can register and re-register online for business identification numbers (BINs) or VAT registration numbers and submit VAT returns online.

“We are going to launch these services to ensure that taxpayers get services easily,” said Zakir Hossain, deputy project director of the VAT Online Project.

The revenue authority's step to open call centres comes in line with its bid to start implementing the new VAT and Supplementary Duty Act 2012 under an automated environment from July 1 next year.

The law, which will replace the VAT Act 1991, will be implemented under an automated platform and envisages a 15 percent flat VAT rate instead of various rates that are now in effect.

Companies and firms will require furnishing their VAT related information, including return submissions online, once the law comes into effect.

The NBR is implementing a Tk 551-crore project to develop an integrated VAT administration to facilitate electronic payment and processing of documents to enforce the new VAT law.

Hossain said taxpayers will get answers to all VAT related queries by calling the number, be that legal or procedural.

Taxpayers will be able to call the number for VAT queries at the lowest rate, he added.

Based on the experience, the revenue authority has prepared answers for 370 frequently asked questions (FAQs). If persons attending the calls cannot answer any query instantly, replies will be given later, he said.

The call centre support will be on for six years from the launch.