The government will not pursue tax collection by harassing or inconveniencing businesses, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said today (8 September).
Instead, the government will work to create a taxpayer-friendly environment and consult businesses on how to make the tax system more effective, he said.
“Taxes paid by them keep this country running. Therefore, we have to listen to them. No tax will be collected by causing them inconvenience,” the finance minister told journalists after a meeting with National Board of Revenue (NBR) officials in Dhaka’s Agargaon.
Asked about his meeting earlier in the day with officials of mobile operator Banglalink, Khosru said the company had raised several issues, which were discussed.
“We have to listen to those who pay taxes. We cannot remain detached from them,” he said.
On a proposal to restore monthly VAT return submissions after the filing period was changed to three months, the minister said the government would consult taxpayers before making changes.
He said the government’s objective was to create an environment conducive to revenue collection while ensuring businesses receive fair facilities and opportunities.
The NBR chairman and other senior officials attended the meeting.
A senior NBR official who attended the meeting told The Business Standard, speaking on condition of anonymity, that the finance minister had instructed officials to give greater priority to recovering outstanding tax dues.
The minister also emphasised speeding up the disposal of pending cases to boost revenue collection, the official said.
Journalists also asked Khosru about the significant shortfall in VAT collection during the first two months of FY2026-27. He declined to comment on the matter.
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