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Tax files for all those above 18 years from Jan.1

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2 June 2023 08:04 am - 38     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A tax file will be opened by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) for all those above the age of 18 from January 1, 2024, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said yesterday.

However despite it being mandatory for all those above the age of 18 years to open a tax file, it is not required for all to pay their taxes, Minister Siyambalapitiya said elaborating who could evade this next year.

Siyambalapitiya said even future welfare benefits will be given under this tax file number.

A special Gazette notification issued yesterday has already made it mandatory for professionals belonging to 14 categories including Doctors, Engineers, Chartered Accountants and Architects to register themselves with the Inland Revenue Department from yesterday (01 June).

The Gazette notification was issued by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization & National Policies with the consent of the Commissioner General of IRD.

As per the Gazette notification, employees whose monthly contribution from both employee and employer to any Provident Fund exceeds Rs. 20,000 are also required to register with the IRD.

Accordingly, the following professionals are required to register themselves with the IRD with effect from June 1:

1. Practitioners registered with the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC)

2. Members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka

3. Members of the Institute of Certified Management Accountants of Sri Lanka

4. Members of the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka

5. Members of the Association of Professional Bankers

6. Members of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects

7. Members of the Institute of Quantity Surveyors Sri Lanka

8. Attorneys-at-Law of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka

9. Individuals who have registered their businesses in Divisional Secretariats

10. Individuals who are in possession of vehicles registered (other than three-wheelers, motorcycles and hand tractors) with the Motor Traffic Department

11. Individuals who have purchased or acquired, by virtue of Deeds Transfer, of any immovable property in Sri Lanka on or after April 01, 2018

12. Employees whose monthly contribution from both employee and employer to any Provident Fund which is more than Rs. 20,000

13. Any individual who obtains approval for a building plan from a Local Authority

14. Any other individual who receives payment of Rs. 100,000 per month or Rs. 1,200,000 for a 12-month period for providing any services in Sri Lanka

According to the notification, any individual who does not belong to any category mentioned above, who are at the age of 18 years or more as at December 31, 2023 or who attains the age of 18 years on or after January 01, 2024, are required to register themselves with the IRD with effect from January 1, 2024.(Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)


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  Comments - 38

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  • William Friday, 02 June 2023 08:18 AM

    Is there no upper age limit? Do senior citizens over 65 have to comply too?

    ANTON Friday, 02 June 2023 08:20 AM

    YEP ........... WITH THE EXCEPTION OF POLITICIANS AND THEIR HENCHMEN.

    jan Friday, 02 June 2023 08:25 AM

    18Years Above opening Tax file is ok What about Tax PRIVILAGES,INCENTIVES, NOT AVAILABLE, POLITICIANS N THEIR ENTIRE FAMILIESDOING NOTHING GET ALL THE PERKS FREELY,PLUS HUGE USD COMMISIONS WHILE PEOPLE'S DOES NOT GET ANYTHING ONLY SUPRESSING PEOPLES ONLY FOR LAST 70YEARS BY UNP, SLFP ,SLPP, PARTIES, SRILANKANS WANTS IMMEDIATELY CHANGE OF SYSTEMS

    Sunil Friday, 02 June 2023 09:10 AM

    This is part if the change. Most countries in the developed world requires every citizen to maintain a tax file. The information is used to even determine welfare benefits in those countries to ensure proper targeting of benefits. It may not be perfect but we need to start somewhere.

    joshua Friday, 02 June 2023 08:53 AM

    What a great initiative from a blind and deaf Government....just dancing to the tunes of IMF like real beggars. How will IRD manage such an influx of files or is it worth having so many files which will not bring even a cent and only cost of maintaining the file with IRD. We all know this........it is good opportunity for bribery and corruption to be taken to a new level given the bigger pie on their plates. The President and his so called cabinet don't have an inch of backbone to collect a cent from the political rogues and whose names were disclosed by various papers. Time to kick these UNP and SLPP goons from the face of Sri Lanka.

    Neel gamage Friday, 02 June 2023 11:38 AM

    I do agree with you while most of countries maintain files for the anyone who is above age 18 years ,but its not only for the tax matter there are several factors behind, but those cabinet and the government who need take the each and every why from the citizens, sure its the take revenge from the public. Thay knows the next election there will be no place for them. Actually this is not reasonable. There is something we have to noted that non of the government party or cabinet member not against this proposal .BAD LUCk Of Srilankan

    Perera Friday, 02 June 2023 09:00 AM

    Good initiative by the government to stop tax evasion. Everyone should pay fair share of income tax based on his/her taxable income.

    Ranjith Friday, 02 June 2023 09:17 AM

    Why do you need a tax file? This is infringement and a blatant human rights violation of individuals.

    Dee Friday, 02 June 2023 09:21 AM

    Very Good! Now we have the aspired ‘system change’ lets see how many of those who revolted for it will comply?

    Truth Friday, 02 June 2023 09:49 AM

    Doesn't make any sense. At the age of 18 citizens are still in the schools as students. Instead the Government should reassess the tarif concessions given to many industries belonging to the cronies. Their accounts needs forensic audit. This will not happen for sure because the politicians are dependant on the crumbs thrown by them.

    Dee Friday, 02 June 2023 12:09 PM

    Do you know how many European vehicles have been registered under childrens (above 18) names?

    Keep watching cricket while the country is retaken by the West Friday, 02 June 2023 09:59 AM

    This is the difference between getting loan from China and the loan from the West (IMF).The white fellows are now our new masters and they will keep ordering the government to do list of things that would never end. This is the first time since 1947 the Whites have taken control of their former colony, people don’t realise this.

    Jonathan Friday, 02 June 2023 02:23 PM

    Saved. At last!

    Lank Friday, 02 June 2023 10:06 AM

    What about all those politicians who have been invading taxes for years ..?

    Sambo Friday, 02 June 2023 10:06 AM

    So you will open millions of tax files but only hundreds will pay tax. Good no bad.

    Eper Friday, 02 June 2023 10:10 AM

    Taxing is ok. Pls Provide efficient healthcare/education/transport/ senior citizens care as provided by other countries to their citizens. The tax collected should be properly accounted for and not wasted on wasteful projects and state sponsored tamashas and overseas political assignments

    Thilina Friday, 02 June 2023 10:23 AM

    Yes this is good move everybody who earn exceeding threshold should pay taxes, but first thing is to clear inland revenue department which is one of the most corrupted governments institutes in Sri Lanka. There are the one who delaying implementation of RAMIS system which direct hit for their bibery income. Just check what kind of luxury life they enjoy same as custom officers. Otherwise we pay thumping taxes from our hard earned money but these people mismanaging and manipulating it before politician do so.

    Felix Friday, 02 June 2023 10:58 AM

    Wonder why the age of 18 as that is still the schooling age. Even they go the Uni they will be 23 0r 24 when they graduate. I presume in future students cannot travel abroad for studies unless they have a tax file number. However can the IRD systems cope up with the huge number of almost 11 million regsitrations?

    Lion Friday, 02 June 2023 11:03 AM

    Start with the children of Rajapakashas, and the children of cabinet ministers such as kappan Ranatunga

    Janaka Silva (Extreemist) Friday, 02 June 2023 11:13 AM

    Squeezing the neck of the poor masses with lead to Aragalaya-Phase 2 and wiping out all the corrupted politicians from all parties including President Ranil.

    Sam Friday, 02 June 2023 11:14 AM

    The already protesting due to workload IRD employees will love this news :-)

    Dr. M.K. Ariyapala Friday, 02 June 2023 11:16 AM

    Rather than getting back all the illegal money earned by Rajapakshe family, Ranil is trying to get it from the public - this will lead him to the grave soon.

    Jude Friday, 02 June 2023 11:17 AM

    More than 50% of between 18-25 unemployed! What's the use of a Tax file!???

    Lalith Karunaratne Friday, 02 June 2023 11:19 AM

    Enough Taxing, its too much and un-bearable Mr. President, do you need another bloodshed and burn your gangsters (Potuwa rotters) property again?

    Karalasingam Sivalingam Friday, 02 June 2023 11:30 AM

    Good idea, but lots of private motor repair shop charge a lot from customers as well as road way eating houses.

    Kulesh Friday, 02 June 2023 11:43 AM

    Many question the 18 year threshold. Firstly if you are old enough to vote you are old enough to have a tax file. There could be a income and assets held in children's names that would not otherwise be tracked. A lot of concerns have been raised lately about tax evasion. A starting point is to have the widest possible data collection. An ongoing current database of individual income is needed to administer a fair an equitable social welfare system to ensure that benefits reach qualifying persons and them only. Most countries use the tax database for such purposes. A lot of income is not accounted for due to the cash economy and that hole needs to be plugged. Other countries are able to administer systems that captures every citizen above a particular age. There is no reason to believe that Sri Lanka is not capable to do likewise. Digitalisation will be an enabler. We wanted a system change for fairness and equity. This intiative will be one key element towards that journey.

    Kappan Friday, 02 June 2023 11:51 AM

    Are the Beggars on the streets, the Municipal scavengers, Natamies, also required to open Tax Files ?

    pradeep Friday, 02 June 2023 12:14 PM

    lets pay taxed to politician and their henchmen to ro. More

    Ram Friday, 02 June 2023 01:35 PM

    This was a long overdue. IRD must monitor the expenses and investments of all tax file holders. Lots of Black money will surface

    GHT Friday, 02 June 2023 01:54 PM

    A strict order from the IMF, a puppet of the US, destabilizes the life of the people who have been struggling to their ends meet after the crisis hit the country.

    Anuruddha Friday, 02 June 2023 02:33 PM

    One wonders if all the cynicism to this very rational and long overdue reform is from those with much to hide?

    Tom Jo es Friday, 02 June 2023 03:42 PM

    How are going to monitor the income of the lawyers who fleece the the poor innocents in millions. They do not give a receipt for the fat purse full of money they receive.what about taxing all the Parliamentarians and other local politicos.

    Percy wijenayake Friday, 02 June 2023 06:22 PM

    Good start, the public must insist on tax receipts for any professional services they receive.

    Buddhist Friday, 02 June 2023 09:16 PM

    First, the Speaker should confirm to the public that all MPs have registered themselves with IRA. This should include all ex- Presidents and PMs and their family members.

    Sambo Saturday, 03 June 2023 07:02 AM

    What a stupid decision. Why not open it when they are born at the hospital level.

    NAMAL Saturday, 03 June 2023 06:17 PM

    WE THE POLITICIANS WILL NEVER PAY TAX VOTE FOR ME I GIVE YOU LUNCH PACKET AND BOTTLE OF ARRACK

    DAR Sunday, 04 June 2023 06:41 AM

    Tax reforms are only way Sri Lanka can move forward, have strong economy and equal distribution of wealth. Also make it mandatory for people to lodge their Tax Return at the end of fiscal year so any amount paid above their tax bracket can return back to them.

    Dara Sunday, 04 June 2023 06:42 AM

    People are very well aware bankruptcy is not their baby and they are annoying most by politicians who are responsible for bank robberies are forcing public to pay for it, while writing off loans worth billions of their political goons from government own banks


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