Newspaper owners seek tax cuts ahead of budget

Newspaper owners have proposed significant tax cuts to support the struggling print media industry. At a pre-budget discussion for FY2026–27 held at the National Board of Revenue (NBR) auditorium in Agargaon on Tuesday, leaders of the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) urged the withdrawal of the 3.0% import duty and 15% VAT on newsprint.

They also called for reducing corporate tax from 27.5% to 10%, alongside cuts in the 5.0% source tax on advertisement income and 5.0% advance tax on raw material imports, according to local media reports.

NOAB leaders highlighted rising production costs, declining circulation, and falling advertisement revenue since the Covid-19 pandemic. Newsprint prices have increased sharply in recent months, adding to financial strain.

They warned that many newspapers are operating at a loss and sought special incentives to ensure the industry’s survival. NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan assured that corporate tax would not increase and said other proposals would be considered.