NBR chief vows 'faceless' tax system to curb harassment, widen revenue net
He said the revenue administration is being transformed through online systems, risk-based audits, AI-driven data analysis and automation across customs, VAT and income tax operations.
National Board of Revenue Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan today (16 May) said the revenue authority is moving towards a fully "faceless" and digital tax administration to reduce taxpayer harassment, improve transparency and increase revenue collection.
Speaking at a pre-budget discussion organised by Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC) at the Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka, the NBR chief said the revenue administration is being transformed through online systems, risk-based audits, AI-driven data analysis and automation across customs, VAT and income tax operations.
"We want to ensure that compliant taxpayers can fulfil their civic responsibilities from home without having to visit tax offices," he said.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Abdur Rahman said the NBR has already introduced scientific, risk-based audit selection mechanisms to minimise discretionary powers of officials and ensure transparency.
"I had virtually halted tax and VAT audit selections over the last two years until we could implement a proper risk-based mechanism," he said.
According to him, the submission of around 4.5 million online tax returns has created a large database that can now be used for benchmarking taxpayers and improving compliance monitoring.
The NBR chief also announced plans to introduce personalised online taxpayer dashboards where users will be able to see their liabilities, outstanding dues and refund status.
He said taxpayers would be able to claim refunds online and receive the money automatically in their bank accounts within a specified timeframe. "We want to remove the trust deficit where taxpayers feel they only pay taxes but receive nothing in return," he added.
Abdur Rahman also stressed the importance of reducing cash transactions to strengthen tax compliance and expand the VAT base.
He said he had proposed to the governor of Bangladesh Bank that cash deposits should no longer be allowed directly for telegraphic transfers (TT) or pay orders without first depositing the money into a bank account. "If we can gradually reduce cash transactions across the economy, revenue management will become much easier," he added.
On tobacco taxation, he said the NBR plans to tighten monitoring of cigarette manufacturers from next year to combat illicit trade and tax evasion. The revenue authority will introduce upgraded tax stamps with QR and AR codes, enabling consumers to scan and verify whether taxes have been paid on products.
"If consumers identify untaxed cigarettes and report them, we will reward them, while the companies involved will be penalised," he said.
The NBR chairman said the system could later be expanded to other packaged products, including beverages and bottled water.
Highlighting ongoing customs reforms, he said the government is strengthening the use of ASYCUDA World, implementing risk-based customs clearance and moving towards a paperless customs system.
The chairman also said the government is trying to balance stricter revenue enforcement with trade facilitation, employment generation and investment incentives in the upcoming budget.
