Myanmar gained 400 billion Kyats ( about 363 million U.S. dollars) in revenue in the fiscal year of 2005-06 which ended in March, a significant increase over the previous years but much lower than targeted, the local Myanmar Times reported Monday.

Collected through five categories of tax -- income tax, profit tax, commercial tax, the sale of stamps and the state lottery, the country's revenue obtained ranged from 104 billion Kyats to 265 billion Kyats in the previous three years.

The Department of Internal Revenue attributed the lower figures to tax evasion, blaming some companies and individuals for presenting false data about their income for taxation assessment as well as the government's ineffective measures in collecting tax from companies, service providers, restaurants, supermarkets or individuals for 18 years.

However, the finance authorities held that the recent amendments to income and commercial tax laws would not affect the tax rate levied by the government but would ensure that tax collection policy will be more effective and widespread.

The authorities called for efficient collection of tax to raise enough money for public infrastructure projects.

Source: Xinhua