Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) President Ashraf Ahmed has said the automation of taxation system would help reduce hindrances in paying taxes and thus increase revenue in the country.

“In Bangladesh, the number of taxpayers is lower than expected. The country with 170 million people should not have only around 4 million taxpayers,” he said at a workshop in the capital.

The workshop titled “Income Tax Act 2023: Corporate Tax Challenges and Opportunities” was held at the DCCI auditorium on Saturday. About 60 participants from different corporate houses took part in the event.

Ashraf Ahmed said the workshop was designed to improve awareness among the tax professionals in line with the new “Income Tax Act 2023,” especially to know the details of the corporate tax system.

A few initiatives have been taken that would make it easier for businesses to submit their returns, he said.

The keynote paper was presented by Snehasish Barua, advisor, Standing Committee on Customs, VAT, Taxation & NBR Related Issues of DCCI, and partner of Snehasish Mahmud & Co.

Wakil Ahmed, joint commissioner of taxes, Tax Zone-15, Dhaka, said more than four lakh taxpayers paid their taxes through the e-TIN service.

Murad Ahmed, joint commissioner of taxes, Taxes Zone-4, Dhaka, requested the business community to use e-TDS more.

Bapan Chandra Das, second secretary, tax education, advertisement and tax legal, NBR, also spoke on the occasion and the members of the DCCI Board of Directors were also present at the workshop.