Kamaruzzaman flagging off six LHDN vehicles to launch the KMH state-level operation in Kota Kinabalu yesterday. He is accompanied by Suhaili (second right) and other directors from Labuan, Sandakan, Tawau and Keningau branch.
KOTA KINABALU: The Inland Board Revenue (LHDN) office here will continue to seek Wira Negara among businesses operating at night in the State capital.
It is our (LHDN) tagline and taxpayers are our ‘Wira Negara’ (countrys hero). They contribute to the development of the country, explained LHDN Kota Kinabalu director Suhaili Sudin to reporters after the launch of the state level Kunjungan Mesra Hasil (KMH) operation here yesterday.
He added that visiting businesses to ascertain eligible taxpayers is also part of their responsibility and fundamental in order to avoid the grumblings of other taxpayers.
We do not want discontentment in existing taxpayers and we certainly dont want them to feel that they are not treated fairly, said Suhaili.
The four main activities include focusing on visiting employers for employees monthly tax (PCB) audit, external audit for companies and for other than companies, by hand delivery of final tax notices and night time business census visit.
Although this program initiated two days will come to an end today and officially closed tonight, these activities will continue to be organized from time to time, in particular, the business census visit or night operations, he said earlier during the ceremony.
“This was done during the operation on food stalls located from Anjung Senja to Hyatt (Hotel Kota Kinabalu) and in Putatan, where the businesses are very lively at night. The 32 officers on duty during KMH are not enough to enable the identification and obtaining information and data of these businesses. However, the operation was good as we have gained partial insight into the businesses there, elaborated Suhaili.
God willing, the night operation will continue not only at these locations but also other locations in our efforts to obtain and identify new ‘Wira Negara’. in particular because taxpayers are national heroes, he added while expressing confidence that many businesses could be eligible for registration as taxpayers.
LHDN Sabah director Kamaruzzaman Ab Salleh lauded LHDN Kota Kinabalus effort for implementing the night operation.
You have accepted my challenge for you to conduct the night operations and have become the first in the state to do so this year.
It is hoped the night operation will continue to seek eligible taxpayers that may not be visually obvious to our naked eyes during the day but may be apparent at night, said Kamaruzzaman.
It is time for us to take action and register them as taxpayers so we can see how many more of the ‘countrys heroes’ out there. We hope other branches will continue to carry out night operations in 2015, added the director.
Kamaruzzaman said the friendly operation started in Tawau and followed by Sandakan and Keningau before culminating in Kota Kinabalu for the 2015 state-level KMH, which took place from May 20 to 21 here this year.
A total of 128 LHDN officers and staff from Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Tawau, Keningau and Labuan branch were involved in the KMH, which was initiated by the State Office Director in collaboration with host LHDN Sabah.
He said KMH is a mandatory branch activity with the main objective of increasing voluntary compliance among taxpayers, this year.
In addition, KMH aims to provide tax education to the taxpayers while enlarging the tax base of taxpayers as well as detecting and registering new eligible or those who have not done so.
Visits to employers’ premises and a visit to the premises of the taxpayers to submit tax documents were also done in Kota Kinabalu, he added.
As an agency tasked with administering direct taxes in the country, it is important to ensure that the level of awareness among taxpayers is improved.
If the rate of voluntary compliance could be improved, it will indirectly reduce the arrears of revenue and ensure sustainable revenue for national development, concluded Kamaruzzaman.