Govt asks taxpayers to clear tax by June 7

KATHMANDU, June 2: Despite the nationwide lockdown, which is in effect since March 24, the government has asked the taxpayers to clear value added tax dues between mid-November and mid-March by June 7.

The Inland Revenue Department, issuing a public notice on Tuesday, has also asked the taxpayers to clear the excise duty and income tax between mid-February and mid-April by the aforementioned date.

Likewise, the education service charge and telephone tariff of mid-February to mid-April will also have to be cleared by Sunday.

We request all the taxpayers to clear their tax within the given deadline to avoid applicable charges and penalties, the notice reads.

Owing to the nationwide lockdown that has shut almost all business entities across the country, the government had extended the deadline twice previously.

Since the government has collected only 56 percent of the revenue target of Rs 1.11 trillion for this fiscal year and given the pandemic may not ending anytime soon, the deadline has not been extended, said Ministry of Finance spokesperson Uttar Kumar Khatri.

But entrepreneur Chandi Raj Dhakal described the decision as laughable.

“On the one hand the government plans to bring package for the survival of private business entities which remains closed for almost three months now and on the other hand it asks them to pay taxes,” he said.

“The government has ignored our calls to resume the private business… and instead it warns us of fines and penalties. It is laughable,” he fumed.