NBR introduces email OTP system for overseas taxpayers

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has introduced a special email verification system allowing Bangladeshi expatriates to file their income tax returns online without relying on mobile-based OTP authentication.

The tax authority announced the measure in a statement on Tuesday, saying the initiative aims to facilitate e-return filing for taxpayers residing abroad who have been facing difficulties accessing the system.

Previously, a biometrically registered mobile number was mandatory for filing income tax returns online, as one-time passwords were sent to the registered number for submission and password reset, bdnews24.com reports.

However, many expatriates were unable to receive OTPs as their mobile numbers were blocked or inaccessible outside Bangladesh.

To address the issue, the NBR has now enabled OTP verification through email for eligible taxpayers.

According to the notification, the email verification system applies to taxpayers who had earlier registered in the e-return system using a biometrically registered mobile phone but are currently residing abroad and unable to reset their passwords using mobile OTP.

To complete the verification process, expatriate taxpayers must apply from their own email address to ereturn@etaxnbr.gov.bd, providing a copy of their passport, national identity card and visa page, along with their foreign address, mobile or phone number used abroad, the last date of departure from Bangladesh, and their email information.

Once the NBR verifies the submitted documents and confirms the email address, the taxpayer will be able to receive OTPs via the verified email and perform registration-related tasks, including password reset and e-return filing.

As of Monday, approximately 3.9 million income tax returns have been filed online for the 2025–26 tax year.

In the notice, the NBR urged all individual taxpayers to submit their income tax returns for the current tax year by February 28 using the e-return system.