The total number of registered taxpayers crossed the 25 lakh-mark, exceeding the National Board of Revenue's fiscal 2016-17 target six months ahead of time.

The number, which accounts for just 1.5 percent of the total population of 16 crore, was reached last week and was disclosed at a seminar yesterday on the importance of value-added tax to attain the targets for 2021 and 2041.

On June 30 this year, the number of TIN holders stood at 19.79 lakh. The NBR recorded 25.22 lakh TINs until yesterday.

NBR officials attributed the spike to the budgetary measure that made taxpayer identification numbers mandatory for both public and private sector employees who draw at least Tk 16,000 in basic salary every month.

It also made the submission of tax returns mandatory for public sector employees who get at least Tk 16,000 in monthly basic salary. This measure, taken to increase collection of payroll tax, has boosted TIN registration, said a senior NBR official.

The NBR also launched a call-centre so that taxpayers can get answers to their queries related to the new VAT law, which will come into effect from July 1 next year.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith inaugurated the call centre by dialling 16555 at the event, where the top VAT payers of fiscal 2014-15 were also honoured.

Muhith asked the call centre attendant at the other end when the registration for business identification numbers will start under the new law and what documents one has to bring.

The NBR said the call centre will remain open from 9am to 5pm seven days a week.