NBR imposes 35% duty on SIM cards

The national board of revenue (NBR) has imposed 35% supplement duty on SIM and replacement SIM cards of mobile phones. The announcement was made, on Wednesday, when the finance bill for 2017 was passed in the parliament. However, in the proposed budget, the NBR initially thought of imposing Tk100 tax on both SIM and replacement SIM cards – which would be the same duty imposed in the last budget. A total of 35% supplement duty is imposed on SIM cards or fixed wireless connections. This includes 5% supplementary duty on services provided through mobile communication. The Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB) urged the revenue authority to withdraw VAT on mobile internet services in the national budget for the Fiscal Year 2017-18.