Summary:
- Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue (NBR) mandates online income tax return filing for individuals starting July 2025, announced by Chairman Abdul Rahman Khan.
- Technical issues in the online filing system will be resolved beforehand, with corporate taxpayers gaining expanded digital payment options.
- Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) reports 13% export growth over six months and improved container handling, signaling economic progress.
- NBR launches an import-export digital hub and a four-year customs modernization plan to streamline trade, boost revenue, and enhance operational efficiency.
Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue (NBR) will require individual taxpayers to file income returns online starting July 2025, Chairman Abdul Rahman Khan announced Sunday at a customs modernization event in Dhaka. The move aims to streamline tax compliance alongside the launch of a new import-export digital hub and a four-year strategic plan to modernize customs operations.
Speaking at the NBR headquarters, Khan emphasized that technical challenges with the online filing system will be resolved before enforcement. “Corporate taxpayers will also gain expanded online payment options, but individual submissions will become fully digital by next year,” he said. The announcement coincides with efforts to digitize customs processes, including a portal for import-export documentation, duty calculations, and compliance tracking.
Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud, present at the event, highlighted recent economic improvements, noting a 13% rise in exports over six months and a 7% increase in January container handling. “Positive trends are emerging, but sustained growth requires addressing systemic barriers,” he stated.
The NBR’s four-year strategic plan focuses on boosting revenue collection, simplifying trade procedures, and enhancing officer efficiency. Officials confirmed the newly operational import-export hub will reduce processing times by centralizing customs data and requirements online.
Sunday’s developments reflect Bangladesh’s broader push to digitize fiscal systems and improve trade infrastructure amid efforts to attract foreign investment and stabilize economic growth.
