All government employees including peons, janitors have to file returns by November 30

Peon, Janitor or Office Assistant – All employees have to file income tax return from the current financial year. If not, their salary will be stopped.

To comply with this provision of the Income Tax Act, 2023, various ministries and departments have started instructing the officers and employees of their respective departments to collect e-TIN and submit returns by November 30.

Until now all government employees did not have to file returns. Filing of returns was mandatory for those whose basic salary was Rs 16,000 or more.

The government has made a new income tax law in the current financial year. In its various clauses, the submission of return is mandatory for all public servants, it is said that the proof of submission of return must be submitted for receiving the salary and allowances of the public servant.

Officials of the National Board of Revenue said that employees whose salary is less than the tax limit will not have to pay any tax. But everyone has to file a return. And those whose salary exceeds the tax-free age limit, will have to deduct at source from his salary bill at the average rate of tax applicable to the estimated total income of the income year.

After receiving this directive, several employees said that a kind of fear is working among the employees who are paid less than the tax free age limit. Many employees, despite their low salaries, have large sums of money in their own names, including savings bonds, invested in various places, making them more anxious.

Analysts consider the provision of mandatory return submission for all government employees to be logical. They say many low-wage workers have huge assets, including multiple homes. They may have more income outside of their salary. Mandatory filing of returns will enable the government to obtain information on his assets.

Apart from this, the number of return filers will increase, the tax net will also increase. Low-wage employees who have other income and assets will be subject to income tax. It will increase revenue collection.

According to the information of the Ministry of Public Administration, the number of government officials and employees last year was 13,96,818. Out of this, the number of employees from 11th grade to 20th grade is 12,17,264.

The starting salary for 11th to 20th grade ranges from Tk 8250 to Tk 16000, which is less than the tax free age limit. Current fiscal year tax free life limit is Tk 3.50 lakh.

Executive Director of Policy Research Institute. Ahsan H Mansoor told The Business Standard, “Many peons in our country also have two-three houses. Even though the salary of government jobs is low, they may have other income. Considering this, it is logical to make return filing mandatory for all civil servants.”

He said, “If someone gets 10 lakh or 20 lakh rupees in his account, care should be taken so that he is not harassed. Even a low-salaried employee can save this amount of money for a long time by keeping a small amount. But if someone has incredible wealth, they should be investigated.” can be done.”

Tax consultant Snehashish Barua said, “According to the law, all government employees have to file income tax returns and take proof of filing. Those whose income is below the taxable age limit, also have to file returns.”

About the positive aspects of this initiative of the government, he said, “The number of return filers will increase, the tax net will increase. Many people have got a lot of wealth despite getting a small salary. They will have to file their wealth statement. That is, they will come in compliance, they will come in accountability.”

“As a result of this law, all government employees are legally bound to show all their assets while filing their returns. But if someone does not want to show his assets, that is a different matter,” he said.

Snehashish Barua said, there are many government employees with less educational qualifications, who may not be able to fill their return form themselves. In this case, you have to spend some money to take the help of others, which will create financial pressure on him. In this case, if they fill and submit the form online, they can get rid of the pressure of that cost.