The National Board of Revenue (NBR) issued a strong warning on Sunday about the illegal practice of filing so-called ‘zero tax returns’ under the Income Tax Act 2023. Those who file false tax returns may face up to five years in prison.
What is a ‘Zero Tax Return’?
Recently, several misleading posts on social media claimed that taxpayers can submit tax returns by filling all fields like income, expenditure, assets, and liabilities with ‘zero’. The NBR clarified that this practice is not allowed under the law.
Accurate Information Must Be Submitted
The NBR emphasized that all taxpayers must provide true and correct information regarding their income, expenditure, assets, and liabilities. Submitting false or misleading information, including declaring zero income or zero assets when it is not true, is a criminal offense.
মিথ্যা তথ্য বা শূন্য আয়ের ঘোষণা আইনত অপরাধ, যার জন্য পাঁচ বছরের জেল হতে পারে।
Translation: Submitting false information or declaring zero income is a legal offense punishable by up to five years in prison.
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Taxpayers with Low Income Still Must File Correct Returns
The NBR also clarified that taxpayers whose income falls below the taxable limit do not have to pay tax, but they are still required to submit accurate returns. ‘Zero returns’ are not accepted, even if no tax is due.
Call for Responsible Tax Behaviour
The board urged all taxpayers to act as responsible citizens by submitting truthful returns to help national development and avoid criminal penalties.
আসুন আমরা সঠিক তথ্য দিয়ে দেশের উন্নয়নে অবদান রাখি, মিথ্যা তথ্য দিয়ে সাজা পেতে যাই না।
Translation: Let us contribute to the country’s development by providing accurate information and avoid punishment for false reporting.
Source: TBS
