The National Board of Revenue is set to honour 141 taxpayers, including 76 individuals with tax cards later this month, for their exemplary compliance.

"We are going to honour more taxpayers so that more people feel encouraged to be compliant," said a senior official of NBR seeking to remain unnamed.

The tax cards will be given in 18 categories for individual taxpayers, 14 categories for companies and four categories for firms and other taxpayers at the national level.

Since fiscal 2010-11, tax cards have been given in only two categories - individuals and companies.

But the NBR has recently revised the policy as many taxpayers remain out of recognition despite regular compliance and furnishing the state coffers with big sums.

The policy not only increased the number of tax cards but also altered the nomination criteria.

There are about 22.5 lakh registered taxpayers at present, up from 19.8 lakh at the end of last fiscal year, according to the NBR.

Top individual taxpayers will get cards based on five special categories: senior citizens, war-wounded freedom fighters, physically challenged persons, women taxpayers and young taxpayers.

In addition, people engaged in various professions will be honoured for paying the highest taxes in their respective fields.

The professions are: businessmen, salaried individuals, doctors, journalists, lawyers, engineers, architects, accountants, new taxpayers, players, actors and singers.

For companies, tax cards will be issued for 14 sectors, including banks, non-banks, telecom, engineering, food, energy, jute, spinning and textile, garment, pharmaceuticals and chemicals, print and electronic media, real estate and leather industry.

To be eligible for the privilege, taxpayers will have to pay taxes scrupulously at least for five consecutive years, according to the policy.

If any taxpayer faces reopening of tax-related cases under certain clauses and action is taken under the law, he/she will not get the privilege cards.

No taxpayer will be fit for tax card if he/she is found guilty by the court in the past five years.

Taxpayers who are loan defaulters and have dues pertaining to undisputed tax, VAT and duty will also be disqualified.

The NBR said tax card holders will enjoy privileges while making a reservation for seats in state-run airlines, trains and water transports.

They will also be able to use the lounge for commercially important persons at airports.

They along with their family members will easily get cabins at government hospitals. Apart from that, tax card holders will get priority in hotel bookings.

They will also be invited to various national functions and citizen reception programmes organised by city corporations and municipalities, according to the revised policy.

The NBR said the revised policy and the number of tax cards and categories will remain unchanged for three years. And a tax card will be valid for one year since issuance, according to the policy.