Dr. Yunus Has to Pay NBR Tk 12cr Tax on Donations

After rejecting a leave-to-appeal in this matter, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court today ordered Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus to pay Tk 12 crore tax on gifts to the National Bureau of Revenue (NBR).

After hearing Dr. Yunus' request for leave to appeal against a High Court decision, a four-member bench of the Appellate Division led by Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique issued the ruling.

Attorney General AM Amin Uddin represented the state during the hearing, while Dr. Yunus was represented by Fida M. Kamal and Barrister Abdullah Al Mamun.

A leave-to-appeal request was made against the High Court ruling earlier on June 21. The hearing date before the Appellate Division was scheduled for July 17 by the chamber court on July 9.

The hearing on the appeal against the High Court ruling was postponed by the Appellate Division on July 17 to July 23.

In accordance with the petition, NBR issued three separate notices alleging payment of Tk 12,28,74,000 in tax in relation to Tk 61.57 crore in donations made in the 2011–2012 fiscal year, Tk 1.60 crore in tax in relation to Tk 8.15 crore in donations made in the FY 2012–2013, and Tk 1.50 crore in tax in relation to Tk 7 crore in donations made in the FY 2013–2014.

Dr. Yunus brought an appeal to the Appellate Tribunal contesting the legality of NBR's notifications. According to him, NBR is not permitted by law to deduct taxes from donations.

He received a denial for his application on November 20, 2014. He then brought three income tax reference cases before the High Court in 2015.

The tax levied by the NBR on the money he had given to three trusts was then upheld by the High Court on May 31.

Attorney General AM Amin Uddin revealed to press that Dr. Yunus had given Tk. 77 crore to three organizations following the judgement on May 31. "The requests had been rejected. It is now necessary to pay the tax that the NBR has sought. The NBR has set a price of almost Tk 15 crore. Dr. Yunus has already donated close to Tk 3 crore. Taxes will now be due on the remaining Tk. 12 crore.