Vijay Kumar Shah, Chairman of Jawlakhel Group of Industries, in this file photo taken by New Business Age.

November 23: Vijay Kumar Shah has dethroned Siddhartha Rana as the highest taxpayer of Nepal in individual category. Rana had remained as the highest taxpayer of the country for the last seven years.

Meanwhile, Surya Nepal retained its position as the highest taxpaying company of Nepal.

As per the details made public by the Inland Revenue Department on the occasion of the Ninth National Tax Day, Vijay Kumar Shah has been declared as the highest taxpayer of Nepal in individual category.

Shah is the chairman of Jawlakhel Group of Companies. Shah, who is involved in liquor business, produces Ruslan Vodka, Golden Oak and Warsteiner Beer.

In most of the other categories, the highest taxpayers were the same companies as in the past.

Surya Nepal paid a tax of Rs 5.31 billion to retain its position as the top taxpayer company of Nepal.

Similarly, Dabur Nepal was declared as the highest taxpayer in export section. Dabur Nepal had won the same accolade even last year.

Likewise, the honour of the highest taxpayer among special industry was bagged by Himal Power Limited.

In the business section, Agni Incorporated won the title as the highest taxpayer. Agni Incorporated is the authorised distributor of Mahindra vehicles in Nepal.

Among the tourism enterprises, Taragaun Regency Hotel was declared as the highest taxpayer.

Likewise, Nabil Bank was the highest taxpayers from among the banks and financial institutions.

Other institutions to emerge as the highest taxpayers in their respective areas were Nepal Reinsurance Company Limited (insurance), IME Limited (remittance), Manipal Education and Medical Group Nepal (education), Annapurna Agro Industries (agriculture), Chimek Microfinance (microfinance) among others.

Ghorahi Cement was honoured for paying the taxes in time and also providing timely VAT details since the last ten years. Ghorahi Cement was also the highest taxpayer in VAT section last year.

The government has been observing the National Tax Day on the first of Mangsir (November 15) every year but the programme was delayed this year due to coronavirus as well as Tihar festival.

The IRD informed that they will organize a formal programme to felicitate the highest taxpayers after the coronavirus infection subsides.