The National Board of Revenue (NBR) is set to decide on extending the deadline for individual taxpayers to submit their annual income tax returns by another 15 days.
It has been learned that an order regarding this matter may be issued from the NBR's tax division on Thursday (January 30).
According to reliable sources within the NBR, a proposal to extend the deadline has been sent to the financial advisor.
Previously, the deadline was extended twice—first on November 17 by one month and then again on December 29 by another month. However, the extended period is set to expire on January 31.
The NBR stated that the extension has become necessary again due to student protests, uncertainties in business and trade, and other reasons.
Every year, the deadline for tax return submission is extended after the original period expires, a practice that the NBR has yet to discontinue.
Currently, there are over 10 million Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) holders in the country. However, on average, more than 4 million taxpayers file their returns each year.
According to NBR sources, more than 1.2 million taxpayers have submitted their returns online. The final count of total returns submitted both online and offline has not yet been published.
This year, filing returns online has been made mandatory for certain categories.
As per an NBR directive issued on October 22, government officials of Dhaka, Narayanganj, and Gazipur city corporations, officers of scheduled banks, and officials of mobile phone operator companies are required to file their returns online.
This rule also applies to officials and employees of multinational companies.
The organizations covered under mandatory online tax return submission include Unilever Bangladesh Limited, British American Tobacco Bangladesh Limited, Marico Bangladesh Limited, Berger Paints Bangladesh Limited, Bata Shoe Company (Bangladesh) Limited, and Nestlé Bangladesh PLC.
It has been reported that many bankers and private sector employees have faced difficulties due to the mandatory online return submission requirement.
Once again, the deadline for taxpayers to file returns may be extended, continuing the long-standing practice of the NBR.
However, due to the new rules, many taxpayers, especially private sector employees, have encountered challenges.
As a result, the NBR must focus on reducing taxpayer difficulties in the future by adopting simpler and more effective measures.
