Three major reforms to digitise Bangladesh’s tax administration over the past year have begun to deliver results, with officials citing quicker trade documentation and reduced leakages in revenue collection.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) says the changes are restoring taxpayer confidence by replacing manual, paper-based processes with online systems.

The reforms include mandatory online tax return filing, digital selection of files for audit, and the issuance of import certificates, licences, and permissions through the Bangladesh Single Window (BSW) portal.

Online tax return submissions nearly tripled in the year ending 30 June 2025 after some professionals were required to file digitally. Since 4 August, all individual taxpayers must submit returns online.

The BSW has already processed over 431,000 trade-related documents, while 15,494 tax files have been selected for audit under new “tax justice” criteria, limiting audits to 0.5% of returns in each circle.

Officials say these steps will reduce opportunities for underhanded dealings and speed up customs clearance. However, revenue growth in 2024–25 was just 2.56% — one of the lowest in a decade outside the Covid-19 years. Experts warn that reforms must be sustained and tax officials’ morale restored following unrest over a government plan to split the NBR.

NBR chairman Abdur Rahman Khan said integration across government departments is essential to achieve full benefits. Business leaders and economists have urged faster, more user-friendly automation, citing examples from countries such as Singapore.

The interim government is aiming to hold national elections in February 2026.