The National Board of Revenue (NBR) 01-07-2013 launched the portal to obtain taxpayer identification number (TIN) online, a major step towards the government’s desired electronic tax payment system.
Under the new initiative, one has to log on to the NBR’s website — incometax.gov.bd — and provide details which include the national identity card number, mobile phone number and e-mail address, to get TIN online.
The existing TIN holders, too, would have to re-register by December 31, 2013 for the new 12-digit number, which would replace the current 10-digit number on January 1, 2014.
Companies will have to re-register as well by submitting their registration numbers obtained from Registrar of Joint Stock of Companies and Firms (RJSC).
The new TIN would have to be used for tax returns for fiscal 2013-14, said the tax authority in a statement.
“This is a massive step towards the online tax payment system,” said Finance Minister AMA Muhith at the portal’s launch ceremony at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel.
The move would clean out the existing database, which contains thousands of fake TINs, said NBR Chairman Ghulam Hussain.
Following a cleansing drive, the NBR found that of the 32 lakh TIN issued so far, only 17 lakh of them are active.
“We have thrown the rest of the TINs out as they have either become dormant or were issued for fraud purposes.”
Under the e-TIN registration process, the NBR will cross examine the information provided with the National ID database preserved at the Election Commission and RJSC online. If the information provided by applicants is found correct, the TIN would be issued online instantly.
“Such live sharing of database will facilitate us to verify information and stop fraudulence in getting TIN,” Hussain said.
Moreover, the process will prevent forgery of TIN certificates as the ones issued online would have digital security encryption and QR code, said the tax authority.
The e-TIN registration will also help various agencies such as Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, RJSC, Banks and Land Registration Authority to verify the authenticity of TINs claimed by service seekers.
But those without national ID cards will have to use their passport numbers and upload a passport-sized photograph for registration.
Adolescents wishing to get TINs can use their parents’ national ID numbers, while foreign nationals would have to provide their passport numbers, mobile numbers and e-mail address.
At present, 11.64 lakh people pay taxes, which is less than 1 percent of the 15 crore population.
“Very few people pay taxes. Many get TINs but do not submit returns,” said Muhith, adding that the income tax has now become the second major source of revenue for the government followed by value-added tax.
The finance minister hopes to convert one percent of the population into taxpayers by fiscal 2014-15, and 3-5 percent in the later years.
