Online submission of tax returns made mandatory in Bangladesh

The government has made the submission of income tax returns through online mandatory for all individual taxpayers for the running 2025–2026 assessment year.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has issued a special order in this connection on Sunday, stating that the order will be applicable from 4 August.

According to a new order four specific categories of people will be exempted from this compulsion.

They are senior citizens aged 65 years or above, physically-challenged or especially abled taxpayers (upon submission of valid certification), Bangladeshi taxpayers residing abroad; and legal representatives filing returns on behalf of deceased taxpayers.

The NBR, however, clarified that these exempted individuals may still opt to file returns online if they wish.

The order also notes that, in the case of technical difficulties with registration in the e-return system, any individual taxpayer (except those exempted) may apply to the concerned Deputy Tax Commissioner by October 31, 2025, stating valid reasons.

Upon approval by the relevant Additional or Joint Tax Commissioner, such taxpayers will be allowed to submit their returns in paper form, it said.