Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) President Taskeen Ahmed today urged businesses to effectively use the government's automated revenue management systems and digital services to ensure compliance and overcome existing barriers to tax payment. He made the call while inaugurating a workshop titled 'Changes in VAT, Tax, Customs Duty and Personal e-Return in FY2026-27' at the DCCI auditorium. Taskeen Ahmed highlighted the government's introduction of several changes to VAT, income tax, customs duty, and e-return systems in the current fiscal year's budget. He stressed the importance of businesses gaining a clear understanding of these revised policies and ensuring compliance in their commercial activities.
Nirjhar Ahmed, Additional Commissioner of Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerate, Dhaka (West), NBR, attended the workshop as a special guest. She emphasized the financial contribution of businesses to government activities through taxes and duties. Nirjhar Ahmed urged businesses to remain aware of changes in revenue management rules and regulations to ensure compliance. She noted that VAT registration (BIN) has been made mandatory in several areas under the current year's budget, including obtaining and renewing trade licenses, opening bank accounts, and obtaining and renewing membership of trade organizations.
Under Section 64 of the Value Added Tax and Supplementary Duty Act, 2012, registered businesses can now file consolidated VAT returns for three tax periods, or quarterly, instead of submitting separate returns every month. This measure is expected to make business operations easier. Additionally, the government has amended the provision on appeals, reducing the required deposit from 10 percent to 1 percent for appeals before the Appellate Tribunal and to 2 percent for appeals before the High Court. This change is intended to significantly reduce the financial burden on businesses.
The workshop featured two sessions on changes in income tax and VAT. Snehasish Barua, FCA, ACA (ICAEW), Advisor to the DCCI Standing Committee on Customs, VAT, Taxation & NBR Related Issues, conducted the session on changes in income tax, while Md. Shafiqul Alam, LL.B, FCS, FCA, FCMA, Joint Convenor of the committee, conducted the session on changes in VAT. More than 100 representatives from DCCI member organizations participated in the workshop. DCCI Director M Mosharrof Hossain was also present.
The DCCI's call for businesses to adopt automated revenue management systems and digital services comes at a critical time for Bangladesh's economy. Effective tax compliance not only ensures government revenue but also contributes to the nation's economic stability and growth. By familiarizing themselves with these systems, businesses can navigate the complexities of tax regulations more efficiently, ultimately benefiting both the government and the private sector.
