The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has waived Value Added Tax (VAT) on foreign doctors' services in Bangladesh for facilitating treatment of the students injured in the July-August mass uprising.
The VAT wing issued a circular on Sunday waiving the VAT.
More than 1,500 people embraced martyrdom in the Anti-Discrimination Student- Movement during July-August period of 2024. And the number of injured in the uprising also exceeded 31,000.
The NBR move came after injured students staged demonstrations in the city demanding proper treatment, rehabilitation, and compensation.
According to the notification, as per Value Added Tax and Supplementary Duties Act 2012, VAT has been exempted in the cases of fees, hospitality expenses and hotel rent paid in favour of foreign doctors invited by the Department of Health or related hospitals at the public and private level for the treatment of those injured in the anti-discrimination movement.
Also, the NBR is contemplating issuing a notification regarding tax exemption in these respects. A summary of the matter awaits approval of the Finance Adviser.
Earlier on January 28, Deputy Secretary (Budget) of the Ministry of Liberation War requested VAT exemption to the NBR.
Five doctors from Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore will come to Bangladesh to provide eye treatment to those injured in the movement.
They will provide ophthalmic care to the injured. Tk5.3 million has been allocated for their hotel stay and food expenses and air fare.
The tax notification for eye care services for those injured in the uprising includes a provision for tax deduction at the rate of 20 per cent.
The letter said that VAT and tax should be waived against fees or other services including consultation/consultancy of specialist doctors who come to treat those injured in the anti-discrimination student movement.
If the tax is not waived, the allocation for this sector will decrease, which will affect the medical services.
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