NBR celebrates VAT Day and VAT Week 2025

Revenue Building.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) is celebrating VAT Day and VAT Week-2025 on December 10 and December 10-15. Like every year, the day will be celebrated through various programs. This year's theme has been set with special emphasis on VAT registration - 'Register on time, pay VAT correctly'.

In light of this theme, the NBR will conduct a special registration campaign across the country from December 10 to 31. This time, the target is 1 lakh new VAT registrations. Currently, the number of VAT registered organizations in the country is 6 lakh 44 thousand.

NBR sources said that 38 percent of the total revenue collection in the last fiscal year came from VAT. VAT collection in the first five months of the current fiscal year increased by 22 percent compared to the same period last year. The NBR believes that revenue collection will increase further if VAT management can be strengthened.

The revenue paid by the people is spent on various public welfare sectors including the implementation of the annual development plan, education, health, road and rail infrastructure construction, debt repayment, social security, agriculture, electricity and industry subsidies.

However, there are still various challenges in the VAT collection system. Unregistered businesses, lack of complete automation, ineffective rebate chain, additional exemptions, manual audit methods, limitations in VAT collection from e-commerce and digital platforms, etc.

To address these challenges, the NBR has already taken various initiatives including online registration, online return filing, e-contribution, online payment, e-refund, e-audit, VAT smart invoice, and the introduction of a 'risk-based audit system' to prevent VAT evasion.

The NBR believes that developing a culture of voluntary tax payment and reducing tax evasion is the key to a sustainable revenue system. A strong and modern VAT system is essential to build a developed and prosperous Bangladesh. The organization has sought the cooperation of consumers, businessmen, industrial owners, and the media to this end.