Kathmandu, March 15- Forty billion rupees remains in arrears with the tax payers, according to the Ministry of Finance.

            This amount remains to be realized as income tax and VAT from the taxpayers who have not regularly paid these taxes.

            Speaking in an interaction organised by the Media International in the capital today, Finance Secretary Suman Prasad Sharma said that although all the Nepalis have paid tax indirectly, only 1.2 million people have come under the tax net directly.

            In the discussions with the office-bearers of the Nepal Trade Association, the Republican Trade Association, Nepal Shoes Manufacturers Association, the Ekata Business Association, the Footwear Industries Association, Secretary Sharma reiterated that it is the duty of all the citizens to pay taxes for the country’s prosperity. The discussions revolved around the topic of revenue collection and policy level problems.

            Director General of the Department of Customs Chudamani Sharma said the government would move forward building partnership with the taxpayers, reminding that the taxpayers should not forget their duty while demanding their rights.

            He said tax is the primary source of revenue of the country and therefore the taxpayers should take paying tax as an opportunity and the State too should respect the taxpayers.

            The traders and manufacturers said it is the responsibility of the taxpayers to cooperate with the tax officials by regularly paying the taxes and the duty of the latter to help the former by facilitating them