Fake Tax Office Scams in Nepal
Scammers impersonating Nepal's Inland Revenue Department to demand immediate payment from individuals and small businesses.
Part of: Fake Tax Office Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Government impersonation scams targeting Nepal's tax authority have become more common as Nepal expanded its taxpayer base. Fraudsters call individuals and small business owners claiming to be from the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), alleging tax default, misfiled VAT returns, or unregistered PAN status, and demanding immediate payment to avoid prosecution.
Nepal's relatively young digital tax system means many citizens are genuinely uncertain about their compliance status, making these threats feel credible.
How this scam works on Nepal
A business owner receives a call from someone claiming to be an IRD field officer stating their VAT filing for a recent quarter is incomplete. Immediate payment is required to avoid a penalty that is multiples of the alleged shortfall. The caller provides a personal mobile banking number to settle the matter before formal enforcement begins.
In individual-targeted variants, the caller alleges that the victim's personal PAN number has been flagged for underdeclared income, offering to resolve it informally if a settlement payment is made by the end of the day.
The use of real IRD terminology — PAN, VAT, TDS — lends credibility to the call, even though the payment channel demanded is always informal.
Common red flags
- Phone call from a supposed IRD officer demanding immediate payment
- Payment requested to a personal mobile banking number, not an official IRD account
- Caller uses real tax terms (PAN, VAT, TDS) but cannot provide an official letter
- Settlement offered to avoid formal enforcement — real IRD follows formal processes
- Pressure to pay before end of day to avoid prosecution
- Caller is unresponsive to requests for their officer ID or branch address
How to protect yourself
- Know that the real IRD Nepal sends formal demand letters before any enforcement action
- Call the IRD directly on 01-4411318 or visit ird.gov.np to verify any tax issue
- Never pay a tax demand to a personal mobile number
- Consult a tax professional if genuinely uncertain about your compliance status
- Ask for the caller's full name, officer badge number, and branch, then verify independently
- Report the call to Nepal Police and your local IRD office
How to report it
- Report to the Inland Revenue Department Nepal at ird.gov.np or call 01-4411318
- File a police complaint at Nepal Police cybercrime or your local station
- Report to the Department of Money Laundering Investigation if significant sums are involved
Frequently asked questions
What is a legitimate IRD Nepal payment method?
The IRD Nepal accepts tax payments through commercial banks, Connect IPS, and designated payment counters — never through personal mobile banking numbers like eSewa or Khalti personal wallets. Any payment demand outside these official channels is not a legitimate IRD transaction.