To say that Bangladesh's persistent struggles with tax collection have become a glaring impediment to economic progress would be an understatement and there has been no shortage of concerns about the efficacy and fairness of the current system.
While there have been commendable efforts to overhaul tax policies, including the recent move by the NRB to deploy 30,000 electronic fiscal devices (EFD) and sales data controllers (SDC) machines to boost collection of VAT, it is the culture of impunity and the tendency to harass everyday citizens that persist.
The unequal burden placed on ordinary citizens while wealthier and more powerful individuals evade their fair share of contributions is arguably the most persistent issue when it comes to tax collection. The culture of impunity further compounds the issue, as the influential continue to evade taxes without facing the consequences that ordinary citizens routinely endure.
The failure to collect revenue from those with considerable financial resources not only exacerbates economic disparities but more importantly, severely undermines the principles of justice and equity. It is no wonder then that there is a sense of disillusionment among the everyday Bangladeshi, which ultimately results in eroding trust in the tax collection system.
The harassment faced by everyday citizens during the tax season remains a stain on the nation's commitment to good governance. It is therefore high time for the authorities to address this imbalance, ensuring that the weight of tax responsibility is distributed equitably across all strata of society. After all, Bangladesh does not just want to be a developed nation, but a nation all its people are proud to be a part of.