IRD Launches Exclusive Privilege Cards For Top Taxpayers

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Department of Inland Revenue has launched a special initiative to introduce a Privilege Card Scheme for Individual Tax Payers to recognize and reward responsible citizens who consistently fulfill their tax obligations. 

The Taxpayer Privilege Card Scheme aims to encourage voluntary Self Assessed tax payments by Individual Taxpayers, Reduce Tax Evasion and Recognize high-contributing Taxpayers in the conutry. 

Taxpayers who have paid income tax to or greater than the eligible annual Self-Assessment payments for the immediately preceding Year of Assessment are eligible to apply for the Privilege Card Scheme. 

Additionally, some of the other eligibility criterias that must be met by Taxpayers who are willing to apply for the scheme include: 

All taxes declared in the Return of Income, including Self-Assessment payments, must have been paid on or before the respective due dates.

The Taxpayer’s compliance history must reflect a consistent and acceptable pattern of adherence to all relevant tax obligations and requirements.

The Taxpayer Privilege card is issued under two categories - Gold and Silver, based on the Income Tax contribution of individual Taxpayers in the Year-of-Assessment of the immediately preceding year, relevant to the current calendar year. 

For Taxpayers to apply for Gold Card must have paid Income Tax of 5 million Rupees or more for the immediately preceding Year of Assessment.

For Taxpayers to apply for Silver Card must have paid Income Tax between 3-5 million Rupees or more for the immediately preceding Year of Assessment.

Applicants who are interested are encouraged to apply via the application form available in www.ird.gov.lk the official website of Department of Inland Revenue on or before the already extended deadline of 28th of February 2026.