• Dept. says only criterion for probes is suspected tax frauds or evasion 

With regard to reports that the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has paid special attention to Parliamentarians with a focus on tax-related frauds, the IRD maintains that they are not targeting any specific group based on their profession, and that attention is being paid to various sectors and groups alike on the basis of tax-related regulations and requirements.

The only factor that will be taken into account when investigating or taking other action is whether the relevant parties have engaged in tax-related frauds, an IRD spokesperson told The Daily Morning. 

“Attention is paid to those who have obtained the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) but are not paying taxes as required. We aim to get them under the tax net. This includes parties from all sectors, and we take the relevant action in a manner that is applicable to everybody alike,” said IRD spokesperson said, adding that these steps are taken as stipulated by the relevant laws.

In response to questions about investigations against tax evaders, the IRD spokesperson explained that while complaints concerning those engaged in tax-related frauds are investigated as usual, in addition, investigations are launched based on information received from informants and revelations made by media reports about similar fraud-related cases concerning certain figures.