United News of Bangladesh

Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) on Saturday called on the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to frame the forthcoming national budget as a support mechanism for businesses rather than a burden as domestic industries continue to weather high interest rates and a persistent dollar crunch. MCCI President Kamran T Rahman handed over the chamber's pre-budget proposals to NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan at a meeting at NBR office in the capital. Noting that member institutions of MCCI contribute nearly 50% of national revenue, Kamran said the chamber remained committed to working as a close partner of the NBR in building an investment-friendly and transparent tax regime. “At a time when high interest rates of 12% to 14% and dollar shortages are driving up raw material import costs, small and medium entrepreneurs are bearing the heaviest burden,” he said, urging that the next budget prioritise relief over restriction. Key proposals On broadening the tax net, the MCCI president noted that despite more than one crore e-TIN holders, fewer than half file returns regularly, a structural weakness the chamber has repeatedly flagged. With around 90% of Bangladesh's economy dependent on the informal sector, he proposed introducing a symbolic minimum tax of Tk 100 to Tk 1,000 and a one-page digital return filing system via mobile app to draw the informal workforce into the tax fold and curb tax evasion. On the effective tax rate, the MCCI observed that advance income tax (AIT), tax deducted at source (TDS) and various restrictions push the actual tax burden on many businesses to between 40% and 50% far above the nominal rate. The chamber called for the unconditional reduction of the corporate tax rate and a shift from turnover-based to actual income-based taxation. On digital transformation of the tax system, MCCI proposed replacing the separate platforms for income tax, VAT and customs with a unified taxpayer profile, rationalising VAT rates, automating input tax credits and introducing online hearings at the assessment, appeal and tribunal stages to reduce cost and improve administrative efficiency. On the rationalisation of the Primary Source Rule (PSR), the chamber said mandatory PSR compliance across 39 categories is hampering ease of doing business. It urged that the system be simplified, made logically consistent and rendered digitally verifiable to ease the compliance burden on taxpayers. On the super-rich tax, MCCI cautioned that raising tax rates on high-income earners risks discouraging honest taxpayers and increasing the likelihood of capital flight. It argued that expanding the tax net is a more effective and sustainable route to revenue growth than hiking rates. On SME support, the chamber called for a separate and enabling tax framework for small and medium enterprises, including reduced turnover taxes, input tax credit facilities and rational cuts in VAT and duties on raw materials, measures it said would lower production costs, sharpen competitiveness and ultimately boost revenue collection over the long term. Kamran also welcomed the NBR's reform initiatives under the newly elected government and expressed hope that the chairman would provide clear direction on the overall reform roadmap, including the future of the Revenue Policy and Revenue Management Ordinance 2025, which lapsed without being enacted into law. “A clear institutional separation between policy formulation and revenue administration would significantly improve transparency, accountability and predictability in the tax system.” MCCI President concluded by expressing confidence that, under the farsighted leadership of the Prime Minister and the guidance of the Finance Minister, a pro-growth tax policy would be enacted that simultaneously raises government revenue and expands the space for business and employment.

Bangladesh's National Board of Revenue (NBR) is running nearly Tk 98,000 crore behind its revised collection target for the current fiscal, even as it posted over 11 percent growth in revenue. The gap came into sharp focus Tuesday as business associations urged the tax authority to slash import duties ahead of the 2026-27 national budget. Business groups met NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan in the office for pre-budget consultations, presenting a raft of proposals aimed at nurturing domestic industry and reducing reliance on imports. NBR extends corporate tax return deadline to May 15   Three associations led the charge: the Accumulator Battery Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (ABMEAB), the Bangladesh Electrical Association (BEA), and the Bangladesh Manufacturers Association of Transformers and Switchgears (BMATS). Their central demand is a steep reduction in import duties, supplementary duties and VAT on raw materials and components used in the electrical and electronics manufacturing sectors. Specifically, they called for duties on inputs for electric fans, LED bulbs, circuit breakers, transformers and batteries to be slashed from the current 10–25 percent range to just 1–5 percent. The battery industry also pressed for greater investment incentives in lithium-ion and sodium-ion technologies, as well as tax relief on used battery recycling areas the sector sees as critical to long-term industrial competitiveness. The broader thrust of the proposals is to promote “Made in Bangladesh” manufacturing, shield small and medium enterprises from import competition, and keep consumer prices within reach of ordinary buyers. NBR Chairman, while acknowledging the submissions, struck a cautionary note. “We need to move away from a culture of tax exemptions,” he said, adding that while duty adjustments for business needs are possible, blanket exemptions create leakage in the tax system. His remarks came against the backdrop of a yawning revenue shortfall. According to data published by NBR's Research and Statistics Wing, the board collected Tk 2,87,862 crore in the nine months through March 26 against a revised target of Tk 3,85,852 crore — leaving a deficit of nearly Tk 97,990 crore. Despite the gap, year-on-year collection grew by 11.15 percent compared to the same period in fiscal 2024-25, offering some consolation as the government prepares to frame the next budget.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has extended the deadline for submitting Value Added Tax (VAT) returns for the March 2026 tax period through its e-VAT system until April 23. The extension has been granted in the public interest considering disruptions caused by the Pahela Baishakh public holiday and technical issues arising from the recent upgrade of the e-VAT system, according to a notification. The NBR exercised its authority under Section 64(1A) of the Value Added Tax and Supplementary Duty Act, 2012, to allow additional time for taxpayers to file their returns online. Officials said the decision aims to ensure smooth compliance and provide relief to businesses and taxpayers who faced difficulties in submitting returns within the original deadline due to system-related complications. Taxpayers have been advised to complete their submissions within the extended timeframe to avoid any penalties.

The deadline for submitting income tax returns for the 2025–2026 tax year will expire on Tuesday midnight. The National Board of Revenue has made online submission mandatory for most individual taxpayers with a few exceptions. More than 5 million individual taxpayers have already registered on the e-return system while over 4.25 million have submitted their returns online for the current tax year. The deadline for filing returns was extended until March 31, 2026. However, taxpayers who are unable to meet the deadline may apply for an extension by submitting a written request online by midnight. Concerned tax commissioners may grant up to 90 additional days for submission. To simplify the process, the NBR has introduced an online system for applying for time extensions. Taxpayers can log in to the e-return platform and use the “Time Extension” menu to submit their applications quickly and transparently. The revenue authority has urged all taxpayers to file their returns within the stipulated time to avoid penalties or additional tax liabilities.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has issued nearly 25,000 utilisation permissions (UPs) online over the past two and a half months through its Customs Bond Management System (CBMS). According to an NBR press release issued on Tuesday, a total of 24,963 UPs were issued online between January 1 and March 16 this year by three Customs Bond Commissionerates under the revenue authority after the use of the CBMS software was made mandatory for all UP-related services. The CBMS, an automated software platform, was introduced on January 1, 2025 with the aim of delivering all services to bonded warehouse licence holders online. Under the system, beneficiary industrial units can obtain utilisation permissions from the respective Customs Bond Commissionerates without physically visiting the offices. The UP is a key document that allows bonded warehouse facilities to use duty-free imported raw materials in line with approved input-output coefficients set by the Duty Exemption and Drawback Office (DEDO). To streamline verification of import and export-related documents, the CBMS has been integrated with the Bangladesh Bank’s online system through an Application Programming Interface (API), enabling faster and more transparent processing. Officials said the transition to online services has significantly reduced the need for in-person interactions, saving both time and costs for industrial enterprises operating under bonded warehouse facilities. Since the mandatory implementation at the beginning of 2026, all utilisation permissions have been issued online by the three Customs Bond Commissionerates under its jurisdiction. To further enhance the efficiency and user-friendliness of the system, the revenue authority is working closely with stakeholders, including bonded warehouse licence holders, Bangladesh Bank, the Duty Exemption and Drawback Office, and the e-UD systems of BGMEA and BKMEA. The board expressed optimism that the digitalisation of UP services will contribute to notable savings in time and operational costs for industries, thereby boosting the country’s export trade and fostering a more conducive investment climate.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has introduced an online system allowing individual taxpayers to apply for an extension to submit their income tax returns for the 2025–2026 tax year. The revenue authority has made online submission of income tax returns mandatory for most individual taxpayers, with a few exceptions. According to the NBR, nearly five million individual taxpayers have already registered on its e-Return system, while around 4.1 million have submitted their returns for the current tax year. The deadline for filing returns for individual taxpayers has been extended until 31 March 2026, the NBR said in a press release on Monday. However, taxpayers who submit a written request before the deadline may receive an additional extension of up to 90 days, subject to approval by the respective tax commissioner. To make the extension process easier, faster and more transparent, the NBR has launched a dedicated online facility within its e-Return system. Taxpayers can now log in to the system and apply for additional time through the “Time Extension” menu. The concerned tax commissioner will review the application online and either approve or reject it. If the request is approved, taxpayers will be able to submit their returns within the extended deadline without any penalty or additional tax, the NBR said. However, taxpayers must be registered in the e-Return system and submit the extension request before 31 March 2026 to use the online facility. Those taxpayers for whom online filing is not mandatory may apply for an extension either online or by submitting a written application directly to the relevant tax circle. The NBR has urged all individual taxpayers to submit their income tax returns for the 2025–2026 tax year through the e-Return system by 31 March 2026, or within the additional time approved by the tax commissioner.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) on Sunday extended the deadline for companies to submit their income tax returns by one month. The new submission date is now April 15. The extension applies specifically to the 2025-26 tax year, according to an NBR notification issued on Sunday. The decision comes in response to formal requests from various business sectors that sought additional time to complete the mandatory filing process. Under the previous schedule, the deadline for corporate tax return submissions was set to expire on March 15.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has made it mandatory to use data from the ASYCUDA system while assessing income tax in cases involving importers, aiming to enhance transparency and reduce tax evasion. In a directive issued on March 4, the NBR instructed income tax officials under its Income Tax Wing to collect and use authentic information on imported goods and advance income tax paid at the import stage from the ASYCUDA system’s Business Intelligence (BI) server. According to the order, tax officials will have to rely on this information when selecting cases for audit, reopening tax cases under the Income Tax Act, or correcting erroneous tax assessments. The directive also outlines the procedure for using the BI server of the ASYCUDA system. It states that supervisory range officers will obtain the relevant information from the server and provide it in writing to the concerned circle officers responsible for determining tax. The system will enable officials to verify key import-related information of taxpayers, including the quantity of goods imported, the declared import value and the advance income tax paid at the import stage. NBR officials said the measure is expected to ensure greater accuracy in granting advance income tax credit during tax assessment. Under the new arrangement, commissioners and supervisory range officers will be able to log into the BI server from pre-designated IP-bounded computers. After collecting information from the server, range officers will also have to record the data regularly in a specific register. The revenue authority said the initiative will make it easier to verify import-related tax data during the settlement of income tax cases, helping to ensure a transparent and accurate assessment process.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has once again extended the deadline for filing income tax returns for individual taxpayers for 2025–2026 tax year until 31 March, 2026. In an order issued under Section 334 of the Income Tax Act, 2023, the revenue authority said the decision was taken in the public interest. Under the earlier schedule, the deadline for submitting returns was set for 28 February. Officials said the extension is expected to facilitate compliance and ease pressure on taxpayers who may require additional time to finalise their documentation. The NBR urged taxpayers to take advantage of the extended timeline and ensure timely submission of returns within the new deadline to avoid any penalties under the law.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has suspended its online VAT services due to technical maintenance work. All services of the eVAT system will remain closed from 1:30pm to 8:00pm on February 25 to facilitate the migration of the Next Generation Firewall, said an official notice on Wednesday. The move is part of efforts to upgrade the security infrastructure of the VAT system used for revenue collection. During the scheduled period, users will not be able to access any operational services under the VAT system. The revenue authority said the services will resume as usual after 8:00pm on the same day once the migration work is completed. NBR forms committee to prepare budget for 2026-27 fiscal The NBR has requested VAT-registered businesses and stakeholders to complete their necessary online activities outside the scheduled downtime to avoid inconvenience. The eVAT system introduced by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) marks a significant step in Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts to modernise tax administration and enhance transparency. Designed to automate Value Added Tax processes, the electronic VAT platform aims to simplify compliance, reduce human intervention and curb revenue leakage. The system enables businesses to complete VAT registration, return submission, payment and record-keeping online.