President Anura Kumara Dissanayake became the first individual to file tax returns for the 2024–2025 assessment year, marking the launch of the Inland Revenue Department’s new online tax platform.
The digital platform, officially launched this morning, now serves as the sole channel for submitting tax reports beginning with the 2024–2025 assessment year. President Dissanayake’s filing was received symbolically as the first submission.
Speaking at the inauguration of National Tax Week at the Presidential Secretariat, Dissanayake said measures will be introduced to reduce expenditures within the President’s budget, aiming to safeguard public funds.
He said the government remains committed to protecting taxpayer contributions and described the initiative as a key step in preventing misuse of public money.
“We’re charging an 18% VAT. While that might seem fair from a state revenue point of view, right now, it’s hard to justify asking low-income earners to pay that amount. Even with 18%, we’re still not bringing in the tax revenue we should be. That’s because the system is full of loopholes and complications that people keep using to dodge taxes,” the President said adding that the present culture is to avoid tax rather than paying it.
The President also outlined plans to expand digitalization across public services to improve efficiency and dismantle what he described as entrenched irregularities within the state system. Dissanayake also stressed on the need to uphold the rule of law and ensure equal accountability for all citizens. (Newswire)