Pvt varsities seek withdrawal of tax on education
FE Report | Monday, 4 April 2011
FE Report
The association of private universities Sunday demanded withdrawal of all types of taxes on education in a bid to help students avail higher education at a reduced cost. The leaders of the association said it is not logical to slap tax on the academic sector and added that none of the neighbouring countries imposes tax on education. "Most of the private universities are housed in the rented space. The government should withdraw value added tax (VAT) on rented spaces as it increases the total expenditure of the private universities," said CM Shafi Sami, chairman of the Bangladesh Association of Private Universities (APUB) and former adviser to the caretaker government. He said the private universities will have to increase tuition and other fees of students if the government continues imposing higher taxes on educational services. The association leaders also urged the government to waive income tax on earning of private universities. They proposed the measures in a pre-budget meeting with the National Board of Revenue (NBR) Sunday. Abul Quasem Haider, founder chairman of Eastern University and vice-chairman of APUB, said there are no taxes on education in Thailand, Nepal, Bhutan and Malaysia. Unilever In a separate pre-budget meeting Sunday, Unilever Bangladesh sought cut of corporate tax to encourage foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country. Representatives of the multinational company also proposed extension of tax holiday facilities up to 2014 for new industries.
The association of private universities Sunday demanded withdrawal of all types of taxes on education in a bid to help students avail higher education at a reduced cost. The leaders of the association said it is not logical to slap tax on the academic sector and added that none of the neighbouring countries imposes tax on education. "Most of the private universities are housed in the rented space. The government should withdraw value added tax (VAT) on rented spaces as it increases the total expenditure of the private universities," said CM Shafi Sami, chairman of the Bangladesh Association of Private Universities (APUB) and former adviser to the caretaker government. He said the private universities will have to increase tuition and other fees of students if the government continues imposing higher taxes on educational services. The association leaders also urged the government to waive income tax on earning of private universities. They proposed the measures in a pre-budget meeting with the National Board of Revenue (NBR) Sunday. Abul Quasem Haider, founder chairman of Eastern University and vice-chairman of APUB, said there are no taxes on education in Thailand, Nepal, Bhutan and Malaysia. Unilever In a separate pre-budget meeting Sunday, Unilever Bangladesh sought cut of corporate tax to encourage foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country. Representatives of the multinational company also proposed extension of tax holiday facilities up to 2014 for new industries.