NBR to deploy counting cameras, QR codes in tobacco sector to curb tax evasion

National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan has said that strict monitoring to curb tax evasion will begin with the tobacco sector.

There are plans to introduce counting machines, counting cameras, QR codes and advanced revenue stamps at the production stage, he told a pre-budget dialogue on Saturday.

"If we are successful in the tobacco sector, we will roll out these measures for all other products," he added.

The NBR chief addressed the event titled Revenue Mobilisation: Challenges and Opportunities, organised by the Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC) at the National Theatre Hall seminar room of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka.

Noting that the national budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year is scheduled to be presented in parliament on Jun 11, Abdur Rahman said: "Since the budget will go to parliament on June 11, we already know where and how much the government has allocated."

He emphasised that alongside boosting revenue collection, the budget will focus on easing trade, creating employment, and providing relief to citizens burdened by high commodity prices.

"When you see the budget, there will certainly be some new areas introduced, as we must increase our collections," he added.

To minimise taxpayer harassment, the NBR chief stressed the need to make the revenue administration “faceless” so that citizens can fulfil their tax obligations from home.

He also expressed hope that a new system for income tax refunds would be operational from Jul 1.

According to the PPRC, mobilising domestic resources has become a critical challenge for sustaining growth and transitioning to an inclusive economy.

The dialogue also covered issues such as the low tax-to-GDP ratio, tax policy reforms, the link between revenue collection and economic growth, the impact of fiscal policy on social development, and international best practices.