Citizens in Bangladesh can now easily gain access to tax information at its two new Tax Information & Service Centres (TISCs) located in the port city of Chittagong, and the capital, Dhaka.
Crown Agents was contracted to manage the refurbishment of two current tax offices into TISCs, funded by the Department for International Development (DFID). DFID is providing up to £7 million as a grant for technical assistance to the National Board of Revenue (NBR) for improved taxpayer services.
The project, which was managed by Crown Agents Procurement Manager, Rafiquzzaman, aims to widen Bangladesh's tax base and promote transparency and trust in the revenue administration system.
It will support the government in developing a sustainable source of resources that will finance its development plans and public service delivery, while achieving its vision for greater prosperity.
NBR is establishing TISCs with the following objectives:
- to help taxpayers submit income tax returns properly.
- to help citizens apply for TIN certificate collection.
- to provide information on Income Tax and VAT
- to encourage use of its website and online tax returns submission.
- to process TIN application requests and arrange for collection within three days.
- to provide any other relevant services on VAT and Income Tax.
The first TISC located in Chittagong was inaugurated by the Chairman of NBR, Dr Nasir Uddin Ahmed, on 15 July 2011.
Dr Nasir also inaugurated the second TISC located in Dhaka on 10 September 2011, in the presence of the programme manager of the TACTS project from DFID, TACTS project director from NBR, TISC director from NBR, and invited guests such as NBR staff and Bangladesh media.
The event began with speeches about the current tax payment scenario and the need to establish more TISCs in different parts of Bangladesh to educate citizens about tax. Dr Nasir also revealed plans to establish twenty TISCs over the next two years in different Bangladesh districts.
The inauguration of the centre followed with guests trying out the services. They were impressed with the available services offered and the modern set up.