According to NBR sources, the lifestyle, wealth and other related matters of the TIN-takers will be strictly monitored by the NBR to collect more income tax.

The NBR took the decision following a directive by Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman to boost income tax by up to 25 percent.

Buoyed by what he sees as a steady expansion of economic activities in the country, Saifur Rahman on December 14 projected an income-tax growth touching 25 percent this fiscal year if his directives were followed.

AS Jahir Muhammad, member (income tax policy), said the NBR is now looking forward to collect the income tax return as early as possible.

"We will strictly monitor the lifestyle of the TIN-takers and their assessment which they had submitted to the NBR for giving income tax," he said.

"If we see any difference between the income tax return and the lifestyle of the TIN-takers, we will ask him/her to do a fresh assessment with correct information," the NBR member said adding that their focus would now be more on doctors, engineers, corporate officials and the likes.

"We've already given strict instructions to the field level tax officials and hope to see the good results within a short time," he said.

The NBR through its Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) recently launched drives against some 'big-shots', including BGMEA leaders, and achieved a good success.

The total growth of the income tax was 21 percent in the first five months (July-November) of this fiscal year, as targeted earlier.

The finance and planning minister in his Dec. 14 meeting with tax officials emphasised collection of tax from the existing TIN-holders, rather than increasing the number.