CHATTOGRAM, April 9, 2026 (BSS) -  National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Md. Abdur Rahman Khan FCMA said that the tax collection process is being digitized to enhance transparency and efficiency in the future. 

 He mentioned that this digitization would significantly reduce complaints and eliminate the need for people to visit customs, VAT, and bond offices. 

 “The government is actively working on modernizing bond management, tax, VAT, and customs management to make them more efficient and paperless. Initiatives have been taken to simplify rules to ensure that everyone pays their taxes, VAT, and customs duties,” he said. 

 Abdur Rahman Khan made the remarks as the chief guest at a view exchange meeting as part of BNR’s pre-budget consultation for the upcoming fiscal year (2026-27).

 The pre-budget exchange meeting was held at the conference hall of the World Trade Center in Agrabad, organized by the Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).

CCCI Administrator Md. Motahar Hossain presided over the function, with National Board of Revenue Member (Income Tax Policy) Barrister Mutasim Billah Farooqui, Member (Customs Policy and ICT) Mohammad Mubinul Kabir, and Member (VAT Policy) Md. Azizur Rahman in attendance. Former President of CCCI Amir Humayun Mahmud Chowdhury, President of Chattogram Metropolitan Chamber Khalilur Rahman, and President of Women's Chamber Ms. Abida Mostafa were also present as special guests.

NBR Chairman Md. Abdur Rahman Khan emphasized the need to collect revenue for a welfare state but mentioned the importance of rationalizing tax rates for a welfare state and LDC graduation, rather than putting pressure on everyone.

In his welcome speech, CCCI Administrator Md. Motahar Hossain highlighted some integrated proposals and said that alternative ways of various incentives should be found to restructure tax rates at the import stage and protect domestic industries. 

The tax-GDP ratio should also be raised to the desired level through timely reforms in the tax system, he added. The chamber administrator has currently proposed increasing tax-free income limit for general taxpayers to Tk 5 lakh considering inflation. 
 
The system is being modernized to make VAT and tax payments more appealing to those who are hesitant. 

Those who pay advance tax, additional VAT, or advance income tax will receive quick refunds directly to their bank accounts through coordination.

Abdur Rahman Khan mentioned that the manual system will be discontinued for non-compliant taxpayers, physical examinations will be halted for customs, and the bond system will be updated to prevent traders from being harassed when using the bond facility for re-exporting imported goods.
 
He also stated that the NBR is facilitating year-round tax return filing in a festive environment. Automation has streamlined processes, eliminating the need for traders to visit NBR offices and certificates are now issued online through a single window, he added. 
 
Most taxpayers fall into the intermediate category between the 1st and 2nd steps. Therefore, the proposal suggests setting the tax rates at 5%-7.5% for the 1st step and 10%-12.5% for the 2nd step. Additionally, it recommends that the NBR determines subsequent steps at a reasonable rate. The chamber administrator urged the government to establish new refineries and allow private refineries to increase fuel production capacity. This includes providing duty savings on the import of environmentally friendly electric vehicles to address the global fuel crisis.
 
During the meeting, the Chamber Administrator presented 33 proposals on income tax, 36 on VAT, and 67 on customs to the NBR Chairman on behalf of the CCCI.
 
Other speakers suggested increasing the number of scanners at Chattogram Port, modernizing labs in Chattogram organizations to reduce business costs, lowering customs duties on solar panels and lithium batteries to promote renewable energy in the garment industry, expediting refunds for advance taxes, simplifying audits, reducing the maximum VAT rate to single digits, supporting domestic manufacturing-oriented industries, enhancing the manpower and technical capacity of Chattogram Customs, minimizing double taxation, and reforming VAT for small and medium traders.
 
Former CCCI president Farid Ahmed Chowdhury, Amirul Haque, Dr. Moinul Islam Mahmud, former CCCI vice-president Syed Mohammad Tanvir, and Chattogram Garment Accessories Association president Jasim Uddin Chowdhury also shared their views at the event.