NBR Warns Against Tax Audit Exemption Scam

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has issued a public warning after reports emerged of fraudsters attempting to extort money from taxpayers by falsely claiming they can prevent income tax files from being selected for audit.

In a press release issued on Sunday morning, the revenue authority said organised scam groups have recently been contacting taxpayers from various mobile phone numbers, falsely informing them that their income tax returns have been selected for audit. The fraudsters then demand money, either by promising to secure exemption from the audit process or by threatening taxpayers with legal complications if they fail to pay.

The NBR stressed that none of its officers or employees communicate with taxpayers regarding audit-related matters through personal mobile phone numbers or any unauthorised channel. If a taxpayer’s return is selected for audit, the notification is issued strictly in accordance with the law through an official written notice. Any communication that does not follow this procedure should therefore be treated with suspicion.

The revenue authority also reminded taxpayers that all outstanding taxes, fees and other government dues must be paid only through authorised government payment systems into the state treasury. No NBR official has the authority to collect payments personally or request money through mobile financial services, including bKash, Rocket or Nagad, or through private bank accounts.

To help taxpayers avoid falling victim to such schemes, the NBR has advised the public to verify the authenticity of any suspicious phone call, text message or email by contacting the office of the relevant Deputy Commissioner of Taxes before taking any action. If an individual claims to represent the NBR and demands money, taxpayers have been urged to immediately inform the nearest law enforcement agency and preserve the caller’s phone number as evidence.

The authority reaffirmed its commitment to providing transparent, accountable and harassment-free tax services. It also urged taxpayers not to engage in any financial transaction with individuals making such fraudulent claims under any circumstances.

The warning comes as the NBR continues to expand its tax audit programme. According to the revenue authority, the number of taxpayers selected for audit has now exceeded 100,000 following three separate rounds of selection.

Most recently, on 29 June, the NBR selected 5,014 additional taxpayers for income tax audits. In the first phase, conducted in July last year, 15,494 taxpayers were chosen for audit. A second phase in April added another 72,341 tax returns to the audit list. The selections were made through a fully automated process covering income tax returns submitted for the 2023–24 tax year, with the aim of improving transparency and reducing the scope for discretionary intervention.

Taxpayers wishing to confirm whether their returns have been selected for audit can do so by checking the official audit list published by the NBR. The list is available in spreadsheet format, allowing individuals to search using their Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). The authority has advised taxpayers to rely only on official notifications and verified information rather than unsolicited calls or messages claiming to represent the tax administration.