A taxpayer has brought Tk 7.30 billion into Bangladesh under the tax-free remittance facility for expatriates, National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan has revealed.
However, concerns have emerged over possible misuse of the facility, which was intended to encourage legal remittances and boost foreign exchange reserves.
Speaking at a discussion in Dhaka’s Agargaon on Monday, Khan declined to disclose the individual’s identity, stating, “Actions must be taken first, and then you will automatically know the name.”
He acknowledged that while direct tax collection has increased, economic inequality remains unchanged. He pointed to potential loopholes in the system, citing the large remittance claim as an example of how the Gini coefficient—used to measure income inequality—is being affected.
Despite existing tax laws, he noted that enforcement remains weak. “We currently have 11.3 million taxpayers, but only 4 million file tax returns,” he said, highlighting a lack of compliance. Many individuals, he suggested, do not see the need to file returns due to minimal enforcement measures.
To improve tax compliance, Khan proposed integrating an automated system through an Application Programming Interface (API) with banks, allowing real-time access to taxpayers’ financial data.
The revelation has sparked debate over tax enforcement and the integrity of the remittance facility, raising questions about whether the system is being exploited.
