LETTERS: The Inland Revenue Board (IRB) should be applauded for not favouring any individual.
A news report that athletes are pursued for income tax arrears is a case in point.
The report stated that there were 243 cases involving the sports fraternity, amounting to more than RM15.873 million. There were 137 new cases within a seven-month period in 2021, involving RM3.133 million.
The government relies on the income tax of individuals, both from the public and private sectors, for the development of the nation.
It is every citizen's responsibility to declare and pay income tax every year.
Athletes are not exempt. Many of them are rewarded with monetary benefits in the form of cash and property for their success.
They are given jobs and allowances and receive advertising fees.
And some of them have personal managers and advisers who look after their welfare and finances.
So it comes as a surprise that they were not aware of their income tax arrears.
We recognise the glory and pride that they bring to the country. But that does not give them the right not to pay taxes.
Even soldiers who defend the country and sacrifice their lives pay taxes. Ignorance is no excuse in a court of law.
SAMUEL YESUIAH
Seremban, Negri Sembilan
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times