IRD introduces Privilege Card for compliant individual taxpayers

Tuesday, 24 February 2026 03:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has introduced a Privilege Card scheme for individual taxpayers as a measure to recognise and reward those who meet specified compliance and payment criteria.

Eligibility is based on compliance in the immediately preceding Year of Assessment (Y/A). An individual must have paid income tax equal to or greater than the eligible annual self-assessment payments for that Y/A.

Eligible taxpayers are also required to have submitted their Return of Income for the immediately preceding Y/A on or before 30 November of the previous year, where a return is mandatory. All taxes declared in the Return of Income, including self-assessment payments, must have been settled on or before the respective due dates.

In addition, any taxes deducted at source, including Advanced Income Tax, Withholding Tax, and Advanced Personal Income Tax, must have been remitted by the withholding agent within the stipulated timelines, together with the relevant returns filed with the IRD. Applicants are further required to demonstrate consistency in meeting all tax obligations and compliance requirements.

The scheme provides for two categories. A Silver Card will be issued to individuals who have paid income tax of Rs. 3 million but not exceeding Rs. 5 million for the prior Y/A. A Gold Card will be granted to those whose income tax payments amount to Rs. 5 million or above.

Applications must be submitted between 15 November of the preceding calendar year and 31 January of the relevant calendar year. However, the IRD has stated that applications for 2026 may be submitted until 28 February 2026, as the return filing deadline for Y/A 2024/25 was extended to 31 December 2025.

Duly completed application forms may be submitted via email to [email protected] or delivered by hand or registered post to the Revenue Monitoring Unit on the 6th Floor of the IRD. Supporting documents include a copy of the relevant Return of Income (where filed manually), a copy of the National Identity Card or Passport, and a copy of the T-10 Certificate where applicable.

Privilege Cards will be issued within three weeks of submission, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria, and on or after 1 January of the relevant calendar year to which the card applies.

Cardholders will receive priority access to meet senior management, including the IRD Commissioner General, priority access to their respective officers, and the assignment of a nominated officer from each Tax Services Unit. Additional benefits include the provision of a vehicle sticker, tax consultancy services at the cardholder’s premises when necessary, and the presentation of an elegant brooch bearing a special logo upon issuance of the card.