NBR seeks measures for speedy settlement of tax-related cases

The National Board of Revenue yesterday urged authorities to establish more dedicated benches at the High Court to speed up settlement of 24,000 tax and revenue related cases involving Tk 31,000 crore.

The tax administrator made the plea at a meeting with the officials of the Attorney General's Office on management of tax related cases, at BCS Tax Academy in Dhaka, said a press release yesterday.

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam was present among others at the event chaired by NBR Chairman Md Nojibur Rahman. The NBR said it has taken a multipronged approach to ensure quick disposal of cases to realise revenue for the state. It is difficult to monitor and settle cases based on the present system of management, the statement added.

“As a result, the number of cases is rising along with the amount of dues. It will be helpful to achieve the revenue target if the cases are disposed off quickly,” said the tax authority.

At present, there are six benches at the High Court division to hear tax and revenue related cases.

At the meeting, NBR's income tax department proposed increasing the number of dedicated benches at the Supreme Court, which would help speed up the settlement of cases.

The tax collector also demanded the scope of submission during the hearings. “In many cases, it is seen that petitioners try to secure a stay order against government claims, by raising different issues, instead of the points related to the dispute,” said NBR.

The NBR also favoured the settlement of cases of the same nature at a time through verdicts.

To ensure settlement, the NBR has appointed a senior official of each tax zone as a focal point to monitor and oversee progress of the cases, introduced digital suit management systems, appointed retainers and established regular contact with the Attorney General's Office.

The tax authority also plans to list the cases involving Tk 1 crore in taxes or more and coordinate with the Attorney General's Office for hearing.

The Attorney General's Office suggested NBR open an office at the Supreme Court, said the press release.

At the meeting, Attorney General Alam said all parties should come forward to ensure the speedy settlement of cases. Rahman of NBR said the role of the Attorney General's Office is very important in the disposal of court cases related to revenue. The NBR wants to sit with income tax lawyers later this month to discuss the matter, he added.