The National Board of Revenue (NBR) and Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) are now in a tug of war over providing ''sources of income'' declared by undisclosed money holders in an opportunity offered last year, reports UNB.

The ACC recently sent a letter to the NBR requesting it to confirm the sources of income relating to the declared money.

But as per the SRO-98, NBR has ensured that the names undisclosed money holders who will declare their wealth under this SRO would not be disclosed or provided to any other organisation.

"We will protect our taxpayers as per law," NBR chairman Muhammad Abdul Mazid told UNB. He said that he heard about this matter, but he did not get any letter from the ACC.

"I have heard that the letter would be like something advisory, nothing serious like seeking list of all taxpayers who disclosed their undisclosed money," he said. The NBR Chairman mentioned that NBR never preserve such kind of list.

"Giving an opportunity to legalize the undisclosed money is a continuous process… such opportunity was given in the past and will be given in future. Why should we ruin the future opportunity to bring the undisclosed money within the tax net," he said.

On June 4 last year, the NBR had offered the opportunity to disclose undeclared income on payment of 5.0 per cent penalty in addition to the normal taxes.

A total of Tk 52.13 billion (5,213 crore) undisclosed income was declared in the four months from June to October last year contributing a total of Tk 8.02 billion in taxes to the public exchequer.

A total of 42,459 persons availed themselves of the opportunity of legalising their income by paying penalty at the rate of 5.0 per cent in addition to paying the normal taxes on such income. Income tax law does not permit the NBR to disclose any information about income tax payers.

If the ACC seeks any kind of information from the NBR, it has to be provided as per existing law, the source mentioned. The ACC had earlier sought information on undisclosed money holders, but the NBR did not provide those for the sake of taxpayers'' security as the government had assured of ensuring confidentiality in this regard.

"If the government fails to keep its promise, no one will be interested in declaring their income in future," said a senior NBR official.

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