Tax Week from November 1-8

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

The government will declare a Tax Week to create awareness among the public in respect of the government tax system, Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

The Tax Week will be held annually from November 1 to 8, in keeping with the Cabinet proposal made by the President, as the Finance and Planning Minister.

Minister Rambukwella said that the main objectives of the Tax Week is to increase the awareness of the tax system among the public. Besides, the Tax Week will play a pivotal role to build public confidence in tax administration and related activities of the Inland Revenue Department and other related institutions such as Sri Lanka Customs, whereby voluntary compliance with the taxes by the public could be encouraged.

The Tax Week will enlighten the public on the contribution they could render towards future prosperity of the country through timely payment of taxes and make the public aware of the tax relief and tax concessionaires granted by the new tax system, which is being implemented since 2011.

The minister added there should be a tax culture since a significant number of people including certain professionals receive lucrative incomes though not paying taxes.

When the minister was pointed out that there should be a cordial rapport between the revenue officers and the taxpayers, the minister admitted that the tax officers have to act in a helpful friendly manner with the tax payers.