The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has reversed its recent decision to increase supplementary duties on mobile SIM card and broadband internet services, restoring them to their previous levels.
This reversal is intended to support the country's ongoing digitization efforts, encourage a technologically advanced younger generation, and promote online activities.
Consequently, both the increased supplementary duty on mobile SIM/RIM card services and the newly introduced duty on internet service provider (ISP) services have been completely withdrawn.
This means consumers will not face increased costs for mobile and broadband internet services.
Previously, on January 9th, the NBR had announced increased charges for broadband and mobile internet, despite objections from both operators and customers.
This announcement included a new 10% supplementary duty on broadband services, which would have added at least 77 BDT to a 500 BDT connection.
A 3% supplementary duty was also imposed on mobile services. This would have resulted in a tax of over 56 BDT on a 100 BDT recharge, factoring in supplementary duty, VAT, and surcharges.
This would have increased government revenue from 28.10 BDT to 29.80 BDT per 100 BDT recharge, bringing the total government collection to 56.30 BDT per 100 BDT recharge.
