NBR moves to honour more taxpayers

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has taken an initiative to honour more taxpayers with tax cards by introducing more categories, to motivate people to be compliant.

“We are working on a plan to recognise more taxpayers by incorporating some new categories in the existing policy,” a senior NBR official said yesterday, asking not to be named.

The tax collector has taken the initiative as it found that many taxpayers do not get recognition despite their compliance and payment of a big amount of tax to the state coffers because of limitations in the existing National Tax Card Policy.

The NBR framed the policy in 2010 to honour taxpayers and to boost revenue collection by encouraging existing and prospective taxpayers.

Many taxpayers, including firms and entrepreneurs, do not get recognised, as the existing policy has scope for giving only 10 tax cards in individual and company categories each.

The tax authority formed a committee earlier this month for suggesting revision in the existing tax card policy.

The NBR also took initiative to prepare a list of 101 top taxpayers, 101 top women taxpayers and 101 top young taxpayers below 40 years of age.

The NBR official said the committee has started working to recommend new categories in the present tax card policy.

“Along with individuals, we plan to suggest for giving tax cards to firms in two more categories: manufacturing and service,” said a member of the committee, seeking to remain unnamed.

Since 2009-10, the NBR has been honouring top taxpaying individuals and companies as part of its effort to create tax culture.

However, in many cases, the cards are going to the same persons and companies, especially state firms and taxpayers paying tax at source, according to the NBR.