HC stays VAT in English-medium schools fees

The Justice Shamim Hasnain and Justice Mohammad Ullah bench gave the Stay order Thursday after hearing a petition on the issue.
The court issued a rule asking why the decision of imposing VAT would not be declared illegal and ordered the NBR chairman and the secretary to the education ministry to explain their position.
Parents of two English-medium school students last Wednesday filed a petition with the High Court seeking removal of the tax, which the court heard on Thursday.
A 7.5 per cent VAT has to be paid on tuition fees in English-medium schools while another 9.0 per cent is imposed on the house rent of these schools.
Bangladesh English-Medium School Association’s demand to withdraw the VAT came early this week, after the government decided to remove VAT on tuition fees of private universities.
Students and parents as well as teachers of some schools demonstrated at Dhaka’s Dhanmondi Thursday demanding withdrawal of the VAT, according to bdnews24.com.

--Samir--