IRB deputy chief executive officer (compliance) Abdul Manap Dim said the operation would focus on the food industry chain, and include restaurants, caterers, cafeterias, as well as food processing and food business-related activities.

The operation, to be conducted from Aug 14 to 25, would involve three activities, namely business census tours, tax audits and tax investigations, he told reporters after the launch of the operation here today.

He said during the visits, the IRB would interview owners of business premises, gather business information and check if the business was registered with the board.

“After that, a thorough audit review on companies and individuals carrying out food-related businesses will be conducted and they may face additional assessments and penalties if found to have submitted wrong assessments,” he said.

Manap said the penalty rate would be 45-100% of the amount of under-declared tax.

He said 1,479 officers from 37 IRB branches nationwide would be involved in the operation.

Meanwhile, in his speech at the event, Manap said the IRB would conduct the operation more frequently to enhance the public’s compliance with tax laws.

“It is also to send a strong signal to tax dodgers that the IRB is serious in enforcing the law,” he added.