The Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) (Taxation) Association has suspended its all organizational activities for an indefinite period in response to the growing concerns among tax officials regarding recent reform initiatives taken by the National Board of Revenue (NBR).
The association has also postponed its scheduled extended executive committee meeting, which was scheduled to be held Saturday.
In a statement issued Saturday, the Association emphasized the urgent need for addressing the concerns of tax officials stemming from discrepancies between the recommendations of the NBR Reform Advisory Committee and the recently promulgated ordinance.
According to the association, these differences have triggered widespread apprehension within the tax administration.
To resolve the issue and ensure a coordinated response, the senior members of the NBR’s Income Tax and Customs & VAT wings have been assigned to facilitate dialogue and oversee necessary coordination.
The association has expressed the hope that these senior officials will guide the process towards a constructive and inclusive resolution.
“In light of the current situation, and based on consultations with senior members of the BCS (Taxation) Association as well as members of the NBR’s Income Tax wing, today’s extended executive committee meeting of the BCS (Taxation) Association has been postponed. Besides, all organizational activities of the association have been suspended for an indefinite period,” the statement read.
The BCS (Taxation) Association represents officers from the Taxation Cadre of the Bangladesh Civil Service and plays a crucial role in tax administration and policy implementation.
The recent developments have raised concerns about transparency, consultation and the impact of reforms on the professional integrity and career progression of tax officers.
Meanwhile, officers and employees of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) continued their work abstention on Saturday.
The protest program called by NBR Reform Unity Council, a platform representing officials from the Customs, VAT and Income Tax wings, will continue until 3pm on Saturday.
They are opposing the government’s recent move to restructure the NBR by dividing it into two separate entities—Revenue Policy Division and Revenue Management Division—without incorporating the recommendations of the NBR Reform Committee, they claimed.
Their demands include immediate withdrawal of the proposed Revenue Ordinance, public disclosure of the NBR Reform Advisory Committee’s report, and a comprehensive reform of the revenue system through consultation with stakeholders, including NBR officials, business associations, civil society representatives and political leaders.
