A vast majority of businesses in Bangladesh view the country’s tax system as unfair and burdensome, with corruption and weak accountability among tax officials seen as major obstacles to growth, according to a new survey by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).

The survey, presented Tuesday at a dialogue on corporate tax and VAT reforms, found that 82% of firms consider current tax rates “unfair,” while 79% identified lack of accountability among tax officials as a critical problem. Another 72% cited corruption in tax administration as their primary hurdle.

Conducted among 123 enterprises in Dhaka and Chattogram, the survey also revealed that 65% of businesses frequently face disputes with tax officials, often over arbitrary or unexplained tax demands.

A separate VAT-focused survey, covering 389 enterprises, highlighted the complexity of multiple VAT rates as the biggest challenge, with 73.5% of respondents pointing to the burden of complicated laws.

Businesses also reported high compliance costs, unclear policies, poor cooperation from officials, and difficulties with classification.

At the event, moderated by CPD Research Director Dr. Khondaker Golam Moazzem, former Finance Secretary Siddiqur Rahman endorsed recommendations to simplify tax rates and make online filing mandatory for corporations.

Tax Bar Association president AH Mahbub Salekin stressed that reducing corruption in tax offices could boost revenue and cut reliance on foreign aid.

NBR Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan, the chief guest, reiterated his agency’s commitment to reform, while NBR’s Moshiur Rahman said a 10-year revenue strategy aimed at expanding VAT coverage was already underway.