Jashore tax zone starts with 4 districts with aim to boost revenue
Officials believe this will not only raise revenue but also reduce harassment for businesspeople.
Highlights:
- NBR launches a new Tax Commissioner's Office in Jashore on 26 August
- It covers 4 districts: Jashore, Narail, Magura, Jhenaidah
- The move to ease tax-related services for local businesses
- Revenue collection expected to double in the area
- Business leaders welcome the move, citing time and cost savings
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has launched a new Tax Commissioner's Office in Jashore, covering four districts, in a move expected to significantly increase government revenue and ease tax-related services for local businesses.
The office formally began operations on 26 August at a temporary location near the TB Clinic intersection in Jashore town. An NBR-appointed commissioner has already taken charge. Previously, taxpayers from the region had to travel to Khulna to complete their activities, which often caused delays and additional expenses.
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With the new office in place, taxpayers from Jashore, Narail, Magura and Jhenaidah will be able to access services locally. Officials believe this will not only raise revenue but also reduce harassment for businesspeople.
According to official data, the four districts currently have 4,05,709 registered taxpayers, of whom 1,55,433 filed returns in the 2024-25 fiscal year. In Jashore alone, the revenue target for FY25 was Tk365 crore, but Tk240 crore was collected. Revenue from the other three districts amounted to around Tk500 crore. In total, the four districts contributed approximately Tk750 crore in FY25.
Tax officials now aim to increase the figure significantly. "We are hopeful that revenue collection from these four districts will rise significantly," Jashore Tax Commissioner Masud Rana told TBS. "I hope the government will be able to collect a revenue of Tk1,500 crore from these four districts annually."
22 circle offices in Jashore
Historically, all 10 districts of the Khulna division were under the Khulna Tax Commissioner's Office. With the restructuring, Jashore now oversees four districts with expanded 66 circle offices.
To strengthen operations, 22 circle offices will be set up under the Jashore commissionerate alone, including six in Jashore sadar. Officials said this expansion will help identify new taxpayers and ensure compliance among those who are yet to file returns, addressing earlier challenges caused by manpower shortages.
Businesses welcome the move
The local business community has warmly welcomed the initiative. Ejaj Uddin Tipu, joint secretary of the Jashore Chamber of Commerce, noted the benefits for taxpayers.
"This will bring convenience to businessmen and taxpayers in the region," he said. "We previously had to travel to Khulna for many files, which cost us time and money. That won't be necessary anymore."
However, both Tipu and Mizanur Rahman Khan, president of the Jashore Chamber of Commerce, urged tax officials to maintain a friendly and cooperative relationship with taxpayers. "The business community will not tolerate tax collection through fear and intimidation," Tipu warned. Mizanur added, "We appeal to tax officials to build a friendly relationship with taxpayers so that no one is harassed."
Moazzed Hossain, former president of the Taxes Bar Association of Jashore, also praised the move. He highlighted that the new office would not only increase revenue by identifying new taxpayers but also allow taxpayers to resolve appeals locally, without the need to travel to Khulna.
