Good Governance Roadmap Calls for Transparent Tax System, Result-Based Budget

Kathmandu, March 29: The government’s Good Governance Roadmap, 2082, has outlined major reforms in the country’s budget and revenue systems, focusing on transparency, accountability, and long-term policy stability.

The document, made public by the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, stresses the need for a fair, progressive, and transparent tax system alongside a result-oriented and accountable budget framework. It states that taxation should be based on income and capacity, with special protection for low-income groups.

The roadmap highlights the importance of clear public information on revenue collection and expenditure. It proposes a fully digital and hassle-free tax administration system, ensuring taxpayers can complete filing and payments without physical queues. Stability in tax rates and policies has also been emphasized.

To curb corruption, the document calls for stronger internal controls, digital tracking, and an end to bribery and collusion. It also proposes a service-oriented tax system to address taxpayer grievances and eliminate unfair penalties.

The roadmap further recommends ending overlapping taxation among federal, provincial, and local governments through a clear division of authority. It stresses that budget formulation and spending details should be made public, with increased investment in key sectors such as education, healthcare, employment, and infrastructure.

It also calls for citizen participation in budget preparation and warns against undue influence from powerful individuals. Intergovernmental fiscal transfers, the document notes, should be used strategically to reduce inequality.

Additionally, the roadmap proposes full implementation of e-registration, e-filing, e-payment, and e-invoicing systems, along with the use of artificial intelligence to control tax evasion. Measures such as faceless audits are suggested to minimize direct contact between taxpayers and officials.

Reforms in customs administration, including a fully digital and paperless system, and restructuring of underperforming public enterprises, have also been highlighted in the roadmap.