There is a need for raising the number of actual taxpayers in Bangladesh, as it is still much lower compared to the eligible individuals, discussants said at a programme on Friday.
They also said the country's tax-GDP (Gross Domestic Product) ratio should also be increased to at least 12 per cent for sustaining its economic growth.
The opinions came at the discussion organised by National Board of Revenue (NBR) at its headquarters in the capital, marking the Income Tax Day 2018.
NBR Member and Acting Chairman Md Serajul Islam, and other members including Kalipada Halder and Ziauddin Mahmud, attended the programme, among others.
Besides, a number of showbiz celebrities like film actors Ferdous Ahmed and Riaz, singer Shuvro Dev and actress Gulshan Ara Akter Champa spoke on the occasion to encourage people to become tax-payers.
Speaking on the occasion, Md Serajul Islam said NBR's various initiatives have contributed a lot to increase the tax return submission.
"However, the number of taxpayers is still at a dissatisfactory level, as at present there are around 1.5 million active taxpayers in Bangladesh."
However, the NBR registered around 40 per cent growth in the number of taxpayers during the last two years.
"When the number will reach the100 million-mark, it will be satisfactory for us," he opined.
Mentioning various measures of NBR, he said the relation between taxpayers and taxmen has become friendlier in recent years.
"We organise income tax day and income tax fair every year. We also have other future plans, which will help create a true tax-friendly environment."
NBR is also taking various measures to digitalise the country's taxation system for facilitating various services, he added.
Kalipada Halder said there were 3.2 million taxpayers in the country last year. It increased to 3.8 million in the current year, he added.
"The number of taxpayers increased three times in the last four years."
Only 1.2 million people were registered with NBR as taxpayers in 2014.
NBR has been organising the income tax fair and income tax day to promote the tax payment culture in the country since 2008, he added.
Film actor Riaz said payment of taxes by a citizen is a testimony to his patriotism.
"A bag of cement or a piece of steel rod used for projects like Padma Bridge might be bought with the money that I have paid as tax, and it is a matter of pride," he added.
Actress Gulshan Ara Akter Champa said paying taxes should become a habit for people.
Actor Ferdous Ahmed said everyone should be aware of paying taxes, specially the youths.
"We will build a developed country by paying taxes," he opined.
Following the discussion, a musical programme was organised at the venue.
