NBR extends deadline for paper return application to November 15

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has extended the deadline for individual taxpayers to apply for permission to file their income-tax returns in paper form until November 15, pushing back the original deadline of October 31.

Under the current fiscal year's regulations, all taxpayers-except for certain specific categories-are required to submit their returns online. However, taxpayers who are unable to do so due to technical or other reasons can apply to their respective Deputy Tax Commissioners for permission to file paper returns.

The new deadline, announced in a special order signed by NBR Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan on Thursday, allows taxpayers who face difficulties with the online system to seek approval for paper-based submissions.

The order, issued under the authority of Section 328 of the Income Tax Act, 2023, stipulates that applications must be submitted to the concerned Deputy Tax Commissioner by November 15. Upon approval from the Additional or Joint Tax Commissioner, taxpayers will be allowed to file their returns on paper.

The final deadline for income tax return submission remains November 30, which coincides with Tax Day in Bangladesh.

Earlier this year, the NBR issued a special directive making it mandatory for all individual taxpayers-except for those in specific exempt categories such as senior citizens (aged 65 or older), physically disabled or special needs individuals, expatriate Bangladeshi citizens, legal representatives of deceased taxpayers, and foreign nationals working in Bangladesh-to file their returns online. While these categories are exempted from the online filing requirement, they can still opt to file their returns electronically if they choose.

In the previous year, the NBR made online return filing mandatory for all government employees in several city corporations, employees of scheduled banks, mobile telecom operators, and large corporations, including Unilever, British American Tobacco Bangladesh, Marico, Berger Paints, Bata Shoe, and Nestlé. Last tax year the total number of returns filed surpassed 1.7 million.

As of the current tax year, over 1 million individual taxpayers have already filed their income tax returns online, according to NBR data.