The Chairman of National Board of Revenue (NBR), Abdur Rahman Khan, on Sunday said the government is working to modernize the tax system to make it more user-friendly and efficient for taxpayers.

The NBR chief made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a pre-budget discussion for the fiscal year FY 2026–27, organized by the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh (ICMAB) at the Ruhul Quddus Auditorium of the institution in the capital on Sunday.

“We always prioritize constructive proposals and suggestions. To simplify the tax process, the government is improving the mechanism for refunding overpaid taxes,” the Chairman said. He added that an initiative has been taken to link bank account information with the e-tax return system to increase taxpayer participation and transparency.

Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, Chairman of the ICMAB Seminar and Conference Committee and former President of the institute, delivered the welcome address, emphasizing the importance of integrated discussions in formulating effective economic policies.

During the event, experts highlighted several critical areas for tax and VAT reforms. Former NBR Member (Tax) Ranjan Kumar Bhowmik discussed tax policy reforms, while NBR First Secretary (VAT Policy) Mashiur Rahman spoke on proposed VAT exemptions and structural changes. Md. Mohiman, CEO of MM & Co., presented on the Tax Verification System (TVS) and other technical aspects of tax compliance.

ICMAB President Kauser Alam stressed that to achieve a sustainable and inclusive budget, the government must focus on increasing the tax-to-GDP ratio, expanding the tax net, and ensuring stability in the financial sector to create a favorable environment for both domestic and foreign investment.