Md Tarek Hossain: A discussion titled "Revenue Management and the Role of Media" was organised by the Bangladesh Civil Service (Taxation) Association at the National Board of Revenue (NBR) auditorium. The event brought together key stakeholders from the taxation sector and the media to explore the impact of taxation policies on economic governance and public service funding.
The discussion was presided over by Barrister Mutasim Billah Farooqi, Commissioner of Taxes and President of the Bangladesh Civil Service (Taxation) Association. The Chairman of the National Board of Revenue, Abdur Rahman Khan, attended as the chief guest, while NBR member G M Abul Kalam Kaikobad and Economic Reporters' Forum (ERF) President Daulat Akhtar Mala were among the notable participants.
Commissioner of Taxes Ikhtiyar Uddin Mohammad Mamun highlighted the significance of taxation in ensuring fairness, efficiency, social justice, and the correction of market failures. He emphasised that "Public goods cannot be obtained through private markets alone, making tax collection essential for their provision."
Responding to a question, Abdur Rahman Khan underlined the need for a stable tax policy to facilitate both local and foreign investment. Addressing concerns over the Advance Income Tax (AIT), he noted, "Considering AIT as an indirect tax is an ethical issue for businesses."
Bangladesh currently has 11.3 million registered taxpayers, yet only 4 million file returns, he revealed. "Tax policy implementation at the grassroots level remains weak. If there is consensus, we may reconsider wealth tax as an option," he added.
He further stressed the necessity of effective governance in revenue administration. "While the global principle is to discipline the dishonest and encourage the honest, in Bangladesh, the reality is often the opposite. If we fail to increase revenue, dependence on domestic and foreign loans will grow, burdening future generations."
The discussion also touched upon modernisation and transparency in the taxation system. The NBR chief acknowledged that digitalisation and banking integration could significantly streamline online tax payments. He also indicated plans to amend customs laws to resolve long-standing issues with container backlogs, ensuring better state revenue collection.
Daulat Akhtar Mala raised concerns over the limited access to NBR data, which hampers accurate reporting by the media. "An open data source system at NBR is essential. While bureaucratic hurdles in data analysis have decreased, NBR still lacks clear ownership and accountability."
G M Abul Kalam Azad stated that the tax intelligence unit would soon recruit more personnel to strengthen enforcement. He suggested that "taxpayers should assess their own income tax to eliminate tax fears." He further revealed that the number of online tax return filers has exceeded 1.5 million.
Barrister Mutasim Billah Farooqi emphasised the critical role of the media in improving tax compliance. "Journalists' well-researched reports significantly contribute to national revenue," he said, calling for training programmes for economic reporters to enhance tax-related journalism. He also underscored the importance of fostering a cooperative relationship between economic reporters and tax officials to ensure better public understanding of tax policies.
The discussion concluded with a consensus on the need for stronger collaboration between the media and the NBR to enhance transparency and trust in the taxation system.