Inland Revenue launches taxpayer privilege card scheme

Colombo, Feb. 25 (Daily Mirror) - The Department of Inland Revenue has introduced a new Taxpayer Privilege Card Scheme to recognize and reward individual taxpayers who consistently meet their tax obligations. The initiative is designed to encourage voluntary self-assessment payments, reduce tax evasion, and honor citizens who make significant contributions to the national revenue.

Taxpayers eligible for the scheme are those who have paid income tax equal to or greater than the required annual self-assessment payments for the immediately preceding Year of Assessment. Additionally, applicants must have a strong compliance history, ensuring that all taxes declared in their Return of Income, including self-assessment payments, were paid on or before the respective due dates.
The Privilege Card will be issued in two categories based on income tax contributions. Gold Cards are awarded to taxpayers who paid 5 million rupees or more in the preceding Year of Assessment, while Silver Cards are for those who paid between 3–5 million rupees. The classification aims to recognize high-contributing taxpayers and incentivize continued compliance.
Interested taxpayers can apply for the scheme via the official website of the Department of Inland Revenue, http://www.ird.gov.lk. The deadline for applications has been extended to 28 February 2026.