Nepal Launches Bill Lottery: Consumers Can Win Rs. 1 Million Through Digital Payments
The government has introduced a reward scheme offering cash prizes of up to Rs. 1 million to consumers who make digital payments and collect VAT bills, aiming to encourage tax compliance and reduce revenue leakage.
The Government of Nepal has unveiled a new consumer incentive program that rewards people for requesting VAT bills while making digital payments for goods and services. Under the "Taxpayer Incentive Reward Program Procedure, 2083" issued by the Ministry of Finance, consumers who spend at least Rs. 100 through digital payment methods and whose invoices are recorded in the Inland Revenue Department's system will be eligible for cash prizes. One winner will receive Rs. 133,334 every day through a computerized draw, while a fortnightly bumper winner will be awarded Rs. 1 million. However, purchases made for business purposes and bills related to utilities, transport, air tickets, and government entities are excluded from the scheme. The government said the initiative aims to promote the habit of collecting bills, strengthen tax compliance, improve transaction transparency, and curb revenue leakage and informal business activities.