The National Board of Revenue’s (NBR) achievement of crossing Tk360,000 crore in revenue collection in the first 11 months of the fiscal year is undoubtedly a positive sign. At a time when Bangladesh faces growing demands for public spending, stronger revenue mobilization is essential for funding development projects, improving public services, and reducing dependence on borrowing.
The increase indicates progress in strengthening the country’s tax administration and expanding the revenue base.
However, the shortfall against the annual target also highlights a persistent challenge: That of setting realistic and achievable revenue goals. Ambitious targets may appear encouraging on paper, but repeated gaps between expectations and actual collection create pressure on the economy and weaken fiscal planning.
Revenue targets must be based on economic realities, including business conditions, inflation, investment trends, and the capacity of taxpayers and institutions.
Bangladesh still has one of the lowest tax-to-GDP ratios among comparable economies. Therefore, the focus should not only be on raising targets but on improving the efficiency and fairness of the tax system.
Expanding the taxpayer base, reducing tax evasion, bringing more informal economic activity under regulation, and simplifying tax procedures are necessary steps to ensure sustainable growth in revenue collection.
At the same time, excessive pressure on existing taxpayers must be avoided. A predictable and transparent tax environment encourages businesses to invest and grow, which ultimately creates a larger revenue base. The government must also ensure that citizens see visible improvements from their contributions through better services and infrastructure.
While the NBR’s progress is encouraging, sustainable revenue growth requires a balanced approach. Setting achievable targets, strengthening collection mechanisms, and improving compliance should take priority over announcing overly ambitious figures.
Realistic planning will not only make revenue performance more credible, but will also support Bangladesh’s long-term economic stability.
