The National Board of Revenue (NBR) plans to introduce e-payment system by March to make income tax and other revenue payments easy and hassle-free.

"We're hopeful of introducing the e-payment system from March this year. It will bring a revolutionary change in tax payment system as taxpayers will be able to clear their payment online," said NBR Chairman Nasiruddin Ahmed.

As part of the automation of the entire revenue collection process, NBR has been implementing a project with financial and technological support of International Finance Corporation (IFC) to introduce the e-payment system, he said.

"I'm hopeful that our revenue collection would also be increased," said Ahmed. He added the tax administrator would carry out a massive campaign before and after the introduction of the system to encourage people for using it.

While elaborating the system, an NBR official said taxpayers will be able to make their payment through credit or debit cards and bank accounts and they will receive payment receipt immediately after making such payments.

ICT firm Q-Cash, Sonali Bank and NBR will jointly operate the e-payment system, said Kanun Kumar Roy, NBR's e-governance focal officer and director general of the Directorate of Tax Inspection.

"Twenty-six banks are connected with Sonali Bank's Q-Cash system. Taxpayers having account or credit card with any of these 26 banks will be able to enjoy the online payment facility," Roy added.

A taxpayer will have to open NBR website and follow the instructions to get payment clearance receipt.

"Taxpayers having no credit or debit card will have to send a message to the bank concerned about the payment through NBR website," Roy said.

Roy said the NBR has included Sonali Bank in the system because payments of income tax, VAT and customs duties are deposited to Bangladesh Bank or Sonali Bank through treasury bills.

The Daily Star/Bangladesh/ 5th Jan 2012