Serious allegations have been made against Bikash, a mobile financial service provider in Chittagong city, of evading municipal advertising tax of around 100 crore rupees every year. This huge amount of tax evasion has been confirmed in the investigation of Chittagong City Corporation (CHSIC) revenue department officials. Despite repeated notices being sent to both the accused companies, they did not come to any agreement. In this situation strict legal action and closure of their business activities have been warned with the help of police administration if necessary.

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Sources from the revenue department of Chasik informed that for a long time thousands of Bikash shops, important roads, intersections and various establishments in Chittagong city have been displaying huge banners, signboards and attractive advertising structures. However, against this large number of advertisements, the company is not paying any regular tax to Chosi.

The concerned officer of Chasik’s revenue department said, “The volume of development is so high that it is possible to give an approximate account. In the statements of the last few years, we have seen that they have paid only 1 lakh 75 thousand rupees in tax every year through only a nominal silver advertising, which is absolutely insignificant and inadequate compared to the advertisements displayed.”

Analyzing the accounts of Chasik’s 41 wards, it was found that there are lakhs of development booths and advertising displays in every lane and main road of the city.

If we take an average of 200 development shops or booths in each ward, the total number of shops stands at several thousand. Calculating the advertising tax of multiple banners and advertisements per shop, the amount of tax receivable by Chasik is Tk 50 to 100 crores every year. It is estimated that the amount of this evasion may exceed Tk 150 to 200 crore if calculated including the arrears of the last 4-5 years.

Mayor of Chittagong City Corporation has expressed deep concern about this tax evasion. As per the directions of the Mayor, the initiative to determine new taxes through special audit or re-assessment has been undertaken.

The mayor made his position clear and said, “Bikash and Cash are not paying our taxes properly. They are evading a lot of tax. We are not willing to give any exemption to anyone in this tax evasion. We will determine their tax by re-assessment and they will have to pay the prescribed tax.”

According to experts, paying this advertisement tax is mandatory to conduct business legally as per the corporation rules. Chasik suggested that the final notice should be sent to Vikas immediately with 24 hours time. If they do not settle the matter centrally with Chasik within this period, all their booths, agents and business activities may be closed with the help of Chasik’s own magistrate and police administration.