Online income-tax-return filing is now mandatory for most individual taxpayers save elders at 65 or above for whom the government bends the rules on special considerations.
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) Wednesday launched the online income-tax-return-submission system for the tax year 2026-27 with such provisions.
Currently, e-return filing is a must-do for almost all individual taxpayers as part of the government revenue authority's drive to modernise tax administration.
The revenue board says taxpayers can submit their annual income-tax returns through its e-tax platform from July 22 without having to visit tax offices in person.
Under a special order issued by the NBR, all regular individual taxpayers will now be required to submit their income-tax returns online.
However, the obligation "will not apply to senior citizens aged 65 years or above, physically challenged or specially-able taxpayers subject to submission of relevant certificates",
The rules are also bent for Bangladeshi taxpayers residing abroad, legal representatives of deceased taxpayers and foreign nationals working in Bangladesh.
These categories of taxpayers will be allowed to file paper returns.
"Other individual taxpayers facing technical problems in registering with the e-return system may submit paper returns with prior approval from the respective Additional or Joint Commissioner of Taxes," the NBR also said.
Through the NBR's e-tax portal, taxpayers can pay taxes online using bank transfers, debit and credit cards, bKash, Rocket, Nagad and other mobile financial services.
"On submission of returns, taxpayers will instantly receive acknowledgement receipts and tax certificates."
To assist taxpayers, the NBR has arranged support through its call centre (09643717171) and other electronic channels during office hours on working days.
From July 1, the revenue authority has also introduced an incentive for early compliance. Individual taxpayers who submit their returns between July and September will receive a tax rebate equivalent to 5.0 per cent of their net tax payable, subject to a maximum of Tk 25,000.
"The incentive will not be available for returns filed after September. Instead, additional tax will be applicable to returns submitted after December," according to the NBR statement.
The tax authority has urged taxpayers to file their returns within the stipulated timeframe to avail the incentives and avoid additional tax liabilities.
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