A decision to this connection was taken by a recent cabinet meeting. “And we are holding a special function next Friday, immediately after the Tihar festival, in which we will be honoring the taxpayers,” said Tanka Mani Sharma, director general of Inland Revenue Department (IRD).[bnreak]
IRD has formed a main Tax Day Organizing Committee and three sub-committees to develop programs, nominate taxpayers to be felicitated and publicize the programs that will be held throughout the country.
Under its program, IRD would be felicitating small, medium and large taxpayers. But as the Department is still yet to finalize its programs, officials did not disclosed how many taxpayers would be felicitated under different categories.
Officials, nonetheless, hinted the government could also announce special facilities to the firms and individuals being felicitated on the day.
“This is the first time we are hosting such a program. But what we would like to assure is we would continue to felicitate taxpayers, recognizing them for contribution they have been making in the society by genuinely complying with the tax laws,” Sharma said.
Going by the cabinet decision, he elaborated that the country would mark Mangsir 1 (which falls on November 16 this year) as the National Tax Day every year, and would carry out various programs to build trust and cordial relationship between revenue officials and taxpayers.
The day would also mark the start of the Tax Week, during which IRD and its offices across the country would carry out tax awareness campaigns.
In the Tax Week, Sharma said the revenue officials would provide taxpayer services opening counters in different places, organize taxpayers education and awareness campaigns and encourage consumers to take VAT bills while purchasing anything.
Private sector representatives at a program organized by the IRD to brief them about the National Tax Day welcomed the government´s decision.
“It is good thing that the government has finally realized taxpayers are people worthy of recognition. But, we would like to request the IRD to make sure the program is continued for years to come,” said Ramesh Shrestha, a representative from Nepal Liquor and Cigarette Manufacturers Association, referring to a program on ´Commercially Important Persons (CIPs)´ that the government started but failed to give continuity.
Under the CIP scheme launched almost a decade ago, the government had been felicitating top exporters and importers, entitling them with special facilities at airport and other places. However, the scheme lasted only for three years.
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