Restaurant sued for ‘embezzling’ Tk 35 lakh VAT in Banani

The VAT Intelligence today filed a case against a restaurant in Banani area of Dhaka for allegedly conducting business without VAT registration and embezzling Tk 35 lakh VAT collected from customers in fake invoices.

The case was filed against the restaurant named "Taptales" under the VAT Act, said Moinul Khan, director general of VAT Audit, Intelligence and Investigation Directorate.

Acting on a tip-off, a team of the intelligence department conducted a drive at the restaurant yesterday and found the evidence of the tax evasion, he said.

The restaurant collected 15 per cent VAT on fake invoices from the customers and did not deposit the money in the government treasury, Khan said.

They embezzled TK 35 lakh in five months by collecting VAT from the buyers as usual by issuing fake invoices, he said adding that the detectives also seized the sales information from the restaurant's computer.

The authorities of Taptales could not be reached over phone for their comment.