KATHMANDU, Dec 28: Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) has been operating without renewal of the organization's registration for two years now, because of the tax issue it has been facing. The government has a provision of non-renewal of an organization's registration until the taxes are cleared.

The organization has not been renewed for the last two fiscal years – FY2018/19 and FY2019/20. The organization had last renewed its registration in Fiscal Year 2017/18. “The auditing of TAAN and Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) is done collectively, showing TAAN's earning in millions,” Khum Bahadur Subedi, president of TAAN said in a white paper presentation program in Kathmandu on Friday, “But it is not TAAN's earning. And because the organization has not paid the taxes, it is facing difficulties in administration, legal and technical works and sectors.” TAAN is preparing to pay the tax even if it has to borrow money from banks, if it falls short of money to pay the tax. “Initiatives are being taken to solve the problem of TIMS,” Subedi said, adding, “Though the problem has been persisting for a long time, we have reached the last phase of solving the problem.”

According to the agreement signed between TAAN and NTB, of the earnings made from TIMS, 30% will go to the organizational account of TAAN, 30% to the organizational account of NTB, 30% to the joint account of NTB and TAAN and the remaining 10% to the welfare fund of labors. “But TAAN has not received the agreed amount for the last five years,” he said, “It has affected tasks like helicopter, medicine, administration expenditure and salary for staff, research and promotion of new destinations.”

He said even though TAAN has been reaching out to concerned authorities on the TIMS amount TAAN is entitled, they have not shown any interest on regard to the issue.

The organization also showed concern over the country's inability to provide TIMS card through online system. TAAN President Subedi said it is today's need to adopt technology-led service.

TAAN is working to provide 20% off to foreign trekkers by its member companies on the occasion of VNY 2020. According to TAAN, it will contribute in welcoming 800,000 tourists to the country during 2020.

TIMS was jointly implemented by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and TAAN according to the direction of Nepal government from January 1, 2008. TIMS was launched for trekkers' safety and has been in operation since 11 years.

 
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