Mizanur Rahman Shoeb has been bringing foreign currency into the country through legitimate freelancing in the IT sector for nearly a decade. He has alleged that, despite regularly filing income tax returns, he has faced social harassment under the guise of tax audits and verification. He claims that even after submitting the required tax documents, officials visited his home to measure his land and subjected him to embarrassing questions in front of his neighbors.

According to Shoeb, on August 19, a tax inspector from the Uttara tax office contacted him via WhatsApp regarding the verification of his income tax return for the 2023-24 fiscal year. He was asked to provide necessary documents, including proof of his freelancing income, bank statements, and land deeds. He asserts that he complied with the regulations and submitted all the requested paperwork.

However, Shoeb alleges that the tax department’s activities continued even after the documents were submitted. He claims that on August 29, the concerned tax official visited his home and measured the land. He alleges that an attempt was made to create the impression of discrepancies in the land measurements, despite the deeds containing clear information.

Shoeb further alleges that during the home inspection, questions were directed at him in the presence of neighbors and tenants that caused him to feel socially embarrassed and humiliated. In his view, such behavior during the tax verification process is unnecessary and disrespectful.

He stated that he was contacted by phone multiple times following the home inspection. Faced with this situation, he informed them that he would not engage in any unethical transactions and would provide a formal response via a written notice. He claims that the tax office subsequently issued a “show-cause” notice demanding explanations regarding three additional issues. According to Shoeb, the letter seeks an explanation regarding 360,000 Taka for shop rent, 120,000 Taka for house rent, and 2.15 million Taka paid as a down payment for land in 2021. He claims there are discrepancies between the figures and timeframes mentioned in the letter and his actual financial transactions. He views these actions as an attempt to exert undue pressure.

Explaining his position, Mizanur Rahman Shoeb said, “I am not above the law and am fully prepared to formally submit all necessary information and documents. I have no fear of a fair investigation; however, socially belittling or harassing a regular taxpayer in the name of an audit is completely unacceptable.”

He further added that the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and relevant high-level authorities need to ensure that freelancers—who bring foreign currency into the country through their talent and skills—do not fall victim to unnecessary bureaucratic complications or social humiliation.

Attempts to contact the tax official in question for a statement regarding this matter were unsuccessful; his comments will be included in the report if obtained.

However, the true picture of the incident will become clearer once the concerned tax office’s official statement, the tax audit documents, and the information provided by both parties are verified.