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In a significant move to streamline the tax-filing process, the revenue board announces that individual taxpayers will no longer be required to submit supporting documents like bank statements when filing returns online.
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) chairman Md Abdur Rahman made the disclosure at a press briefing convened at the NBR headquarters.
"Taxpayers are advised to retain their documents for verification purposes, but no attachments will be necessary for online submissions," he said.
According to Mr Rahman, this initiative aims to encourage taxpayers to file their returns electronically.
The NBR recently mandated online return submissions for specific categories of individual taxpayers, including government officials, and employees at banks, multinational corporations and telecom companies.
While this requirement currently facilitates select groups, Mr Rahman outlined plans to extend mandatory online filings for all taxpayers in future.
He highlighted the need for legal provisions in the Income Tax Law-2023, empowering the NBR to accept tax returns without accompanying documents.
"We are focused on enhancing compliance while reducing the administrative burden on taxpayers."
AKM Badiul Alam, income tax policy member, said the existing law has empowered the NBR to define the process in case of tax return filing online.
"We've incorporated legal coverage to accept tax returns without attachments or other documents required for manual submissions," he added.
To address worries about tax evasion, the NBR chief said the NBR's integration with various income sources like car registrations, government salaries and savings certificates would limit the potential for concealment of information.
Integration efforts with banks and other authorities are ongoing to support this initiative.
The NBR is also poised to introduce online tax returns for corporate taxpayers.
Mr Rahman emphasised the NBR's commitment to collaborating with other government agencies, including the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), to improve revenue recovery and combat corruption.
Cost cuts for online tax payments are on the horizon, aiming to further incentivise taxpayers to utilise e-filing rather than visiting tax offices in person.
The NBR is contemplating awarding the taxpayers who opt for online submissions. It is also working to lower transaction charges for credit and debit card payments.
To boost services, the NBR has established a tax helpline for support and it plans to involve university students in business fields to aid taxpayers in the online filing process.
While Mr Rahman acknowledged the ambitious of tax revenue goals, he affirmed the board's dedication to launch an extensive campaign to promote the online tax return system and support taxpayers at every step.
The e-filing platform, www.etaxnbr.gov.bd, is now available for individual taxpayers to submit their returns, acquire tax acknowledgment certificates, and receive tax return certificates.
Currently, e-filing is mandatory for employees of scheduled banks and telecom companies as well as individuals within specific city corporations and employees of major companies like Nestlé Bangladesh, British American Tobacco, Unilever Bangladesh, Marico, Bata Shoe Company and Berger Paints Bangladesh.
This transformative directive was issued under the authority of the Income Tax Act-2023, section 328, subsection (4).