Tax intel unearths Tk 18.74b tax evasion in Dec-Jul period

Income Tax Intelligence and Investigation Unit (ITIIU) has uncovered Tk 18.74 billion in tax evasion after preliminary investigations into 183 taxpayers during the December-July period.

Of the taxpayers, both individual and corporate, 63 have already paid Tk 1.17 billion in taxes through 231 e-challan payments, as the evasion came to light.

The specific evidence has led the ITIIU to freeze bank accounts of over 100 individuals or institutions temporarily, said a press statement of the unit.

Talking to the FE, ITIIU Commissioner Md Abdur Rakib said nearly 2,000 cases of tax evasion and money laundering are now under investigation. Those who are being investigated include government officials, employees, public representatives, political leaders, businessmen, journalists, athletes, actors, doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, and officials from private companies, banks, and financial institutions, he said.

Investigations are underway in all 41 tax zones under the National Board of Revenue (NBR), with taxpayers from all 64 districts of Bangladesh under the unit's scrutiny, he added. He noted that all tax circles will be brought under investigation in the future, while a database of tax evaders is being developed to ensure smooth operation and legal action.

To establish transparency, accountability, and fairness among taxpayers in the direct tax system, and to prevent tax evasion and money laundering, the government formed the ITIIU under the NBR. Its preliminary activities began on January 18, 2024, and after deployment of officers, recruitment of new staff, and shifting to a rented office, it commenced full operations on December 1, 2024.

Due to the growing trend of tax evasion and money laundering among individual and institutional taxpayers, the need for a dedicated intelligence division for direct tax was long overdue. The formation of ITIIU aims to reduce tax evasion, increase tax compliance, and ensure fair revenue collection to sustain the country's economic development-a goal that the unit has already begun to achieve through its activities.

Primary objectives of ITIIU is to establish a skilled intelligence infrastructure within the direct tax administration, identify tax evasion, money laundering, and other financial crimes and take legal action, uncover complex tax evasion networks and recover evaded revenue, promote transparency, accountability, and justice between taxpayers and tax collectors (Income Tax Department).

Since its inception, ITIIU has played a strong and exemplary role in curbing tax evasion and money laundering through intelligence operations and recovery of lost revenue-thereby contributing to sustainable economic growth, transparency, and fair revenue collection.

The unit is also introducing a digital office management and data analysis system.

Though ITIIU has completed only seven months of full operations, it is actively performing its duties despite various constraints related to staffing and logistics. The unit is operating without its own office building, sufficient manpower, transportation, equipment, training, or security. Yet, the volume of uncovered tax evasion and recovered revenue proves that, with proper institutional and logistical support, its capacity could be vastly enhanced.

Establishing a digital forensic lab, enhancing collaboration, training, and partnerships with national and international intelligence agencies to prevent tax evasion and money laundering, conducting regular raids and seizure operations, contributing to anti-corruption efforts and assisting relevant agencies are among the future plans of the unit.

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