Nepal offers Rs1 million lottery to shoppers demanding tax invoices

Nepal's government is incentivizing shoppers to demand tax invoices through a new lottery program, offering prizes up to Rs1 million. The "Taxpayer Incentive Gift Programme Operation Procedure 2026" aims to enhance tax compliance and increase revenue collection.

Under the scheme, one consumer will win Rs133,034 daily, and two monthly winners will each receive Rs1 million. Eligibility requires a personal purchase of goods or services exceeding Rs100 in a single transaction. Digital payments automatically enter consumers into the lottery, while cash transactions require registration through the Inland Revenue Department's (IRD) official website or mobile application.

Specific details for cash transactions include providing the invoice number, seller's Permanent Account Number (PAN), transaction date, purchase amount, payment method, buyer's name, and mobile number. However, the program excludes commercial purchases, utility bills, transport services, airline tickets, government agency purchases, and transactions with non-PAN registered vendors. Each eligible invoice or digital transaction can only be entered once.

Lottery draws will occur twice monthly. The IRD will select winners from transactions recorded in the preceding period. Winners will be chosen via a computerized system in the presence of officials and media. "The objective is to make consumers active participants in the tax system by encouraging them to demand invoices for every eligible purchase," said Keshav Raghuvanshi, information officer at the IRD. Winners must claim their prizes within 15 days, providing original invoices and identification. A 25 percent windfall tax will be deducted from the prize money.

“

The objective is to make consumers active participants in the tax system by encouraging them to demand invoices for every eligible purchase.