ACC probe into tax dodging

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has sought information of the custom officials, importers and C&F agents who are involved in tax dodging in Benapole and other land ports of the country.
As part of an investigation into the matter, the ACC has sent letter to custom authorities across the country, asking the Customs Intelligence Department to make a list of those corrupt people, said Abu Touhid Hawlader, in charge of Benapole Custom Intelligence Department.
The letter has asked the authorities to list each and every incidents of tax dodging detected by the customs authorities between 2010 and 2012.
Amid sharp rise of tax dodging incidents at Benapole, the country's largest land port, a commissioner was transferred from the custom house five months after his taking charge, sources said.
Tax dodging is rampant in case of high taxable goods like parts of motorcycles and three wheelers, cloth, readymade garments and imitation jewellery imported through the Benapole land port, they said.
NBR recently imposed new taxes on these goods but tax dodging could not be checked.
Tk 2221 crore was earned against the revenue income target of Tk 2475 crore for fiscal year 2011-2012, which is Tk 194 crore less than the target, said Golam Kibria, programme officer of Benapole Customs House.
The incidents of tax evasion by giving false declaration while importing goods through Benapole land port are also on the rise, customs officials said.
Benapole Customs House realised fine of Tk 35 crore in 294 cases of goods import through false declarations in 2011-12.