KASKI, Nov 22: Sixteen business houses and trading firms have been blacklisted by the Inland Revenue Office (IRO), Pokhara after they were found evading Value Added Tax (VAT).
These institutions range from popular restaurants to tourism first, private schools and food manufacture.
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According to IRO Pokhara, Pokhara Heli Service has evaded VAT worth Rs 1.8 million. The company has been found doing business without taking licenses from concerned agencies. Likewise, Kaski Modernized Academy, a private educational institution, has evaded taxes worth Rs 288,244. Other institutions that have evaded tax include Purnima Cinema Hall (Rs 355,988), Dwa Medical Hall (Rs 146,451), Bindhabasini Brick Suppliers (Rs 124,511), Ramseti Investment Company (Rs 575,061), Dibya Foods Pvt Ltd (Rs 248,155) and Ityadi Trade (Rs 239,087), among others.
These 16 business houses and trading firms have evaded VAT worth Rs 7.17 million till mid- October.
Of the 10 districts under the jurisdiction of IRO Pokhara, cases of tax evasion are high in Kaski, according to Chief Tax Officer Keshab Kumar Upreti. “Tax evasion by business houses and trading firms came to light after we raided their offices and seized their books of account,” Upreti said, adding: “We have verbally instructed these firms to clear their tax liability at the earliest. If they don't heed our instructions, we will take action prescribed by existing laws.”
Business houses and trading firms collect VAT for consumers on behalf of the government. “It is the responsibility of such firms to duly deposit the amount thus collected to the government coffers. However, these organizations were found pocketing the amount by making fake invoices,” Upreti added.
He also said that the IRO Pokhara will take needful action as per the Income Tax Act 2001 and Value Added Tax 1995 if these firms failed to clear tax liabilities within 15 days.
“Kaski is a tourism hub of the country. Tourism firms here serve an overwhelming number of tourists. But we have been failing to mobilize revenue as expected,” he said, adding, “That is why we have intensified late-night raids as authorized by the Inland Revenue Department.”
