It’s that time of the year again when the government shines some light on Nepal’s highest taxpayers! This year, the Inland Revenue Office rolled out the red carpet on Tax Day 2081 to honor the heroes of Nepal’s economy: the individuals and businesses who keep our country running by diligently paying their dues.

Think of it this way: taxes are the lifeblood of any nation. Roads, schools, hospitals, electricity—everything we use everyday exists thanks to tax revenue. Recognizing these high contributors isn’t just about handing out fancy trophies. It’s about setting the bar, inspiring others, and celebrating compliance in a system where “dodging taxes” can often seem like a national sport.

So who made the cut? What are the new trends in taxation recognition? 

And wait, where are Nepal’s biggest business giants like Chaudhary Group and Ncell? Let’s unravel this intriguing tax mystery!

The Highest Tax Payers In Nepal For Financial Year 2079/80

Here’s a list of individuals and businesses that were awarded this year:

 How does this list compare to that of last year? Let’s find out!

The Evergreen Winners: The Highest Tax Payer Year After Year

Some names are just unbeatable! Nepal Telecom, Dabur Nepal, Bhatbhateni Supermarket, and Bhotekoshi Power Company are the overachievers in this tax game, consistently bagging awards this year as well. These businesses remind us that compliance isn’t a one-time affair—it’s a commitment.

New Names On The Highest Tax Payer List

This year, some fresh faces joined the tax awards list. Shruti Traders became the first sole proprietorship to be recognized. Codavatar Tech Pvt. Ltd. put Nepal’s burgeoning IT sector on the map by winning in the brand-new Export of IT Services category. And this year, turnover-based awards were introduced, with CDS and Clearing (50-100 Crore) and Soltee Enterprises (up to 50 Crore) taking the spotlight.

Categories That Are Missing From The Highest Tax Payer List

Not all categories from last year made it to this year’s list. Insurance, Cooperative and Microfinance, and Medium-Level Taxpayers quietly exited the stage, leaving room for newer priorities like IT and turnover-based recognition. Maybe it’s the government saying, “Out with the old, in with the new!”

Why Are Nepal’s Business Giants Not In The List?

The absence of Nepal’s big-name conglomerates and private-sector giants from the list of top taxpayers is a head-scratcher, isn’t it? These are the companies that dominate our advertisements, grocery shelves, and, honestly, most of our lives. So, why aren’t they showing up to shine in Nepal’s tax hall of fame?

Let’s unpack this mystery. While their scale and influence are undeniable (seriously, they’re everywhere), their omission might come down to a few eyebrow-raising reasons. Profit fragmentation, for one. Big players like Chaudhary Group have so many subsidiaries that their profits are scattered across different entities. It’s like having a pizza cut into so many slices that no single slice feels big enough to count.

Then there’s the elephant in the boardroom: tax disputes. Companies like Ncell are no strangers to headline-grabbing controversies about what they owe and where. It’s hard to win an award for outstanding tax contribution when the government’s still chasing you for the bill!

And let’s not forget: the government’s priorities are shifting. The spotlight is on fresh, fast-growing sectors like IT, remittance, and tourism—basically, the ones who are making waves. This might be part of the reason why FMCG and manufacturing giants like Surya Nepal and Golchha are not on the list.

But here’s the kicker: the absence of these giants might actually be a sign of change. It’s like Nepal’s tax ecosystem is flipping the script. Instead of just applauding the biggest wallets, it’s recognizing diverse contributions—smaller businesses, ethical compliance, and innovative sectors.

Still, wouldn’t it be great if these big names stepped up to the plate more visibly? Their participation could create a tax landscape that’s not just fairer, but also a whole lot stronger. After all, the bigger the player, the bigger the impact—on the economy, on public services, and on inspiring others to follow suit. What do you think about this? Do let us know in the comments!

What Is The Tax Rate In Nepal

Nepal has two taxation systems: direct and indirect tax. VAT is a prime example of indirect tax where the tax is collected by the government indirectly. Even though the tax is paid by the consumers, the government does not collect VAT directly from the consumer but from the businesses who sell the goods and services. The general tax rate in Nepal currently is 13% when it comes to VAT. 

Income tax is the form of direct tax where the government collects the tax directly from the taxpayer on their income. The income tax rate in Nepal for individuals follows a progressive tax rate where there is no tax up to a certain income and then starts at 10% gradually increasing up to a maximum of 39%. The tax rate in Nepal for businesses is generally 25% with some businesses like banks and insurance paying higher taxes at the rate of 30% of the net profit while some special industries pay only 20% tax on their taxable net profit. 

Accordingly the highest tax payers have been categorized in different categories based on the type of taxes they pay. For example: the authorities have introduced a new category for highest tax payer in export of IT services where income tax could be as low as only 10% of the net profit due to the 50% tax exemption provided by the Nepal Government. 

Given that there is only 5% tax on income of individuals who work as freelancers for foreign companies providing IT services, consulting and other work, it’s high time that the government introduces a new category for highest tax payer in this category, isn’t it? Do let us know your thoughts on this.  

Final Thoughts: Does The Highest Tax Payer Award Even Matter?

Taxes might not be glamorous, but they’re the backbone of a functioning country. Recognizing taxpayers is about more than awards—it's about celebrating responsibility, fostering trust, and inspiring others to do their part. And may be setting examples for others. This also adds credibility to the taxpayers and also increases confidence of the various stakeholders like customers, shareholders and potential investors. With new faces, evolving priorities, and some glaring absences, this year’s tax awards show us that Nepal’s tax landscape is growing, shifting, and becoming more inclusive.

So, let’s hope the future brings a bit more transparency, and a lot more participation. Because when everyone plays their part, Nepal wins. And who doesn’t love a good win? 

Also, if you like reading about taxes, you may find this article interesting too: 

Can Tax Incentives and Exemptions Fix Nepal’s Broken Revenue System? The Government has Collected Rs 14 Billion Using Tax Breaks and Schemes!