United News of Bangladesh

A record-breaking 10,202 individual taxpayers filed their income tax returns online on the very first day of the e-return filing process for the fiscal year 2025–26, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) said on Tuesday. Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed officially inaugurated the electronic return (e-return) submission system Monday. According to an NBR press release issued Tuesday  morning, the number of returns submitted on the first day marks a nearly fivefold increase compared to the same period last year when 2,344 returns were filed on September 9, 2024. Online submission of tax returns made mandatory in Bangladesh The surge follows a special directive issued by the NBR on August 3, 2025 making online filing mandatory for all individual taxpayers except senior citizens aged 65 and above, persons with disabilities, Bangladeshi citizens living abroad, and legal representatives of deceased taxpayers. The directive allows flexibility for those who encounter genuine difficulties in completing the e-return registration process. Such taxpayers can submit a written application with proper justification to their respective tax circle by October 31, 2025. Upon approval by the concerned Additional or Joint Commissioner of Taxes, they will be allowed to file their returns manually. Last year, over 1.7 million taxpayers filed their returns online under the partially implemented e-filing system. This year, the upgraded platform enables taxpayers to pay their taxes from home using bank transfers, debit or credit cards, and mobile financial services such as bKash, Rocket, and Nagad. They can also instantly download their acknowledgement slips and tax certificates directly from the system, the release added. To support taxpayers throughout the process, NBR has set up round-the-clock assistance via call centres and digital platforms to address any queries or technical issues related to online filing.  

Encouraging people to submit e-return and pay income tax online, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday said tax paid by the people is the main driver of the country's economy. “I wish, your experiences of submitting income tax return become smooth and hassle-free from now on,” he said in a message. The chief adviser also urged all to show their relatives, neighbours and friends how they too can submit their income tax online. Chief Adviser expected to join COP29 Summit in Azerbaijan next month Acknowledging that people face various hassles to pay taxes, he urged everyone to submit their e-return and pay income tax online, according to the video message shared by the Chief Adviser's Press Wing. "I request the youths to help the taxpayers to this end. Preparation of becoming future entrepreneurs can start from here. We are taking preparations to collect all taxes online gradually," he said. From now, the chief adviser said, there is no need to stand in long queues at the banks to pay income tax or go to tax offices to submit income tax return. "Submit income tax return from your home....this measure has been taken," Prof Yunus said. Submitting e-return of income tax for all government officials of Dhaka, Narayanganj and Gazipur cities, and officials and employees of all scheduled banks, mobile phone operators and multinational companies has been made mandatory now, he said. Prof Yunus also urged the rest of the eligible people of the country to submit e-return and pay income tax online. He also encouraged competition among organisations and firms in submitting e-return of their officials at district and city levels for winning the state awards.