To Kaus Mia, paying tax is a responsibility
Taxpayers in Bangladesh are familiar with the name of Md Kaus Mia.
The 90-year-old businessman, known much for his Hakimpuri Jarda, has been the highest taxpayer since the National Board of Revenue (NBR) started recognising the top taxpayers of the country in 2010-11 in order to create a tax compliance culture.
Kaus was named as the best taxpayer in the Mujib Borsho, which is marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The NBR last week unveiled the names of the best taxpayers of last fiscal year. As usual, he topped the list in the businessmen category. This is because to Kaus Mia, paying tax is a responsibility, not a legal obligation.
This is a stark contrast to a tax habit in a country where non-compliance is rife and tax collection is one of the lowest in the world. Born in August 1931 in Chandpur district, his ancestors were the residents of the then state of Tripura.
His father wanted him to study. But Kaus was obsessed with business. He began his journey as a businessman at a very young age with Tk 2,500 from his mother.
Kaus started out in Narayanganj. Soon, he moved to Old Dhaka where he expanded to 40 types of businesses at one time.
Although he is known for his jarda businesses, it has not been his main activity. He began making jarda in 1988
"My main business was stationery," he said.
The businessman, the proprietor of Kaus Chemical Works, has been paying taxes since 1958.
"I pay tax because it is a good thing to do. How will the state bear its expenses if we don't pay tax?"
What is more, Kaus has never paid lower than the tax due. Instead, he has paid higher taxes than the actual amount on many occasions so that taxmen can't raise questions about him, and the reputation and goodwill of his family remains clean.
"Money is not the ultimate thing; it is the honour that matters," he said earlier this year.
When people ask him why he is so passionate about paying taxes, he replies, "I pay tax as I make a profit."
"None can be rich by evading taxes. If you evade, it is a mistake. If you make a profit, paying tax is a good thing."
He describes young businessmen as the future of the country.
"They will take the country forward," added Kaus, whose family was recognised as the Kar Bahadur (tax icon) in the fiscal year of 2016-17.
"He is unparalleled," said NBR Chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem at an event in March.
"I hope the mentality and yearn to pay taxes and his sense of responsibility will be instilled into other taxpayers, and they will pay taxes regularly to strengthen the economy of the country."
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