Finance Minister Directs Tax Officials to Collect Taxes by Pleasing Taxpayers

Kathmandu. Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle has directed tax administrators to collect taxes by pleasing taxpayers. He gave this instruction on Thursday while addressing tax officers under the department from across the country at the Inland Revenue Department, Lazimpat.

"Collect taxes by pleasing taxpayers, not by harassing them," the Finance Minister said, "I want to hear in the market - there has been a big improvement in tax administration, paying taxes is not a burden, no one is afraid."

He told tax administrators to bring taxpayers into the tax net through voluntary tax compliance, rather than through force and intimidation for tax collection. "I should not hear that taxpayers are not coming into the tax net out of fear. No one should be in a situation where they are hiding from paying taxes," the Finance Minister said.

He urged them to speak freely if there was any shortage of manpower, infrastructure, or information technology to make tax administration efficient. He also clarified that no effort would be spared to encourage those who do excellent work in tax administration and benefit the state.

"Taxpayers should be happy. Those collecting taxes should facilitate. Revenue targets must be met. The target for inland revenue must be met in Mission 16 Kharba." He urged to understand the budget as a turning point for the country's economy and said that the budget for the next 4 fiscal years would show the foundation of the economy the government wants to build.

He directed the departmental leadership to make all-out efforts to implement the tax exemptions given in the budget, to make the taxpayer incentive programs successful, to increase taxpayer awareness, and to digitize transactions.

Stating that the ministry is making significant efforts to get the country out of the 'Grey List', he urged the tax administration to also meticulously look into offenses related to money laundering.

He also urged employees not to use influence for transfers, stating that the career development of tax administrators would be prioritized based on their work methods and their contribution to the state.