Taskeen Ahmed, president of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), called upon traders to increase their involvement in automated revenue management and digital processes to overcome existing hurdles in tax payment, alongside ensuring compliance with laws and regulations in overall business operations.
He made this call on Thursday (August 27) while inaugurating a workshop titled "Changes and Modifications in VAT, Tax, Customs Laws, and Personal E-Return Management in the FY2026-27 Budget" held at the DCCI Auditorium.
Nirjhar Ahmed, Additional Commissioner of the Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerate, Dhaka (West) under the National Board of Revenue (NBR), attended the workshop as a special guest.
In his opening remarks, Taskeen Ahmed stated that the government has introduced several changes to VAT, income tax, customs, and e-return systems in the current fiscal year's budget. It is essential for traders to have a clear understanding of these revised policies, as this will help ensure proper compliance with laws and regulations in business operations.
He further noted that to avoid various obstacles in paying taxes and to increase tax contribution to GDP, the government is emphasizing automated and digital revenue management. Entrepreneurs must acquire the necessary knowledge regarding the opportunities and processes of this system.
In his speech as the special guest, Nirjhar Ahmed said that by paying revenue, the country's entrepreneurs make a significant financial contribution to various development initiatives of the government. Therefore, to ensure compliance across all aspects of business, entrepreneurs must stay aware of the updated rules in revenue management.
He informed that in the current fiscal year's budget, VAT registration or a Business Identification Number (BIN) has been made mandatory for several services, including obtaining and renewing trade licenses, opening bank accounts, and acquiring or renewing membership in trade organizations.
He urged entrepreneurs who do not yet have a VAT registration to complete it promptly.
Nirjhar Ahmed added that under Section 64 of the VAT Act, the opportunity to submit VAT returns has been extended from one tax period to three tax periods, which will make return management easier for business owners.
Furthermore, he stated that the previous requirement to deposit 10 percent of the demanded tax when appealing to the Appellate Tribunal has been amended. Under the new provision, the deposit rate has been set at 1 percent for the Appellate Tribunal and 2 percent for appeals to the High Court. He expressed hope that this will significantly reduce the financial burden on traders.
The workshop featured two separate sessions focusing on income tax and Value Added Tax (VAT). Snehasish Barua, adviser to DCCI's Standing Committee on Customs & VAT, and Md Shafiqul Alam, Joint Convener of the committee, presented the keynote papers.
