Dhaka: Finance Minister AMA Muhith on Sunday underscored the need for making the traditional income tax law easier after proper review so that people feel encouraged about paying taxes.

‘People are unlikely to show eagerness to pay tax if the Self-Assessment section of the income tax law is amended making it easier,’ he said.

The minister said this while inaugurating the ‘Tax Information and Service Centre’ installed by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) at the Secretariat.

Many people do not pay tax just fearing hassle in doing that, said Muhith suggesting the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to encourage people in paying tax by providing them with information so that they do not think that the NBR is forcing them to pay tax.

‘The number of taxpayers in the country is now around 1.7 million and we’ll have to raise it to 3 million,’ he said.

The Finance Minister said the tax fairs organised by the NBR and their information centres can play an important role in providing information to people.

State Minister for Finance and Planning MA Mannan, Cabinet Secretary Mosharof Hossain Bhuiyan and NBR Chairman Md Nojibur Rahman were present at the inaugural programme.

The NBR Chairman said the target of the centre is to give information to secretariat officials and employees over submitting their tax returns.

He said other people can take service from the centre as well.