Prizes for a new state lottery aimed at encouraging shop owners to issue tax receipts could be increased to help attract public participation, according to Finance Minister Suchart Jaovisidha.
The Revenue Department formally kicked off the programme yesterday with the first prize drawing of tax receipts submitted by consumers nationwide.
The department hopes that the weekly lottery will encourage consumers to demand tax receipts from shops, thus forcing retailers to accurately report their earnings to tax authorities.
Mr Suchart said the 200,000-baht first prize could be doubled to 400,000 to help generate greater public interest.
``This project represents a cooperative effort to help encourage people to enter the tax system,'' he said.
Consumers wishing to participate in the drawings must write their name and address on the back of their receipts, which can then be mailed to the Revenue Department at P.O. Box 345, Samsen Nai, Phaya Thai, Bangkok 10400.
Drawings will be held each Thursday, with the results aired on Channel 3. A total of 11 prizes will be offered, with the first prize of 200,000 baht and ten consolation prizes of 10,000 baht each.
A total of 50,000 receipts were submitted for the first drawing.
Revenue Department officials have been steadily clamping down on tax evasion in recent years, even as tax receipts have grown sharply due to the economic recovery.
Many small retailers remain outside of the tax system and fail to register or understate value-added, corporate or personal income tax liabilities.
Wichit Chantanusornsiri, www.bangkokpost.com
