Dhaka, July 10 (V7N) — The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh has launched a formal investigation into a suspected case of large-scale tax evasion involving the disappearance of income tax assessment files from the National Board of Revenue (NBR). The missing files, linked to a corporate taxpayer, are believed to have cost the government approximately Tk 146.57 crore in lost revenue.
 
An ACC enforcement team conducted the raid on Wednesday at the Tax Zone-5, Circle-90 (Company) office in Dhaka, based on intelligence suggesting that NBR officials may have deliberately removed or concealed records in exchange for bribes to facilitate illegal tax waivers.
 
According to ACC sources, the original tax assessment files for two disputed fiscal years—2020–21 and 2021–22—were found to be missing. These documents initially determined tax liabilities of Tk 72.96 crore and Tk 73.61 crore respectively, totaling Tk 146.57 crore. Following selection for audit by the NBR, revised assessments mysteriously reduced the amounts due to Tk 0 and Tk 1,299, respectively—an outcome enforcement officials have deemed suspicious and inconsistent with regulatory practices.
 
During the operation, the ACC team also reviewed other relevant files. The Monthly Assessment Registrar-4 for the 2022–23 tax year showed irregular entries on page 3 (serial numbers 44 and 45), where an unnamed TIN-holding company had apparently been granted disproportionate tax exemptions.
 
In a related development, the ACC initiated another probe on Wednesday targeting allegations that NBR officials had accumulated illegal wealth by offering tax waivers in exchange for financial kickbacks. To support the investigation, the enforcement unit contacted the Sub-Registrar's Office in Mohammadpur to verify land and property ownership. Relevant records were collected from the local land office, and the ACC visited associated locations for on-site assessment.
 
The commission is currently examining the collected documents and is preparing a detailed report. Depending on findings, further action may include formal charges under anti-corruption laws and investigations into illicit enrichment.
 
ACC spokesperson Md. Akhtarul Islam confirmed the operation, telling Media that the Commission is closely monitoring revenue-related corruption cases and remains committed to recovering lost public funds and holding officials accountable.
 
This investigation highlights ongoing concerns over systemic corruption in revenue collection agencies and underscores the government’s broader efforts to restore public trust and improve fiscal transparency.
 
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