Telecom operators are urging for tax reductions in the upcoming national budget for fiscal year 2024-25.

They propose slashing corporate tax, withdrawing value-added tax (VAT) on SIM sales, and preventing double taxation to boost digitalization.

The Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB) presented a 21-point proposal during a meeting with top officials of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) at its Dhaka headquarters.

According to the operators, mobile operators listed on the stock exchange pay a 40% income tax, while non-listed ones pay 45%. In contrast, other types of listed companies pay 20%, and non-listed ones pay 27.5%.

They demand that mobile operators be subject to the same tax rate as other companies.

AMTOB also proposes the withdrawal of VAT on all SIM sales, especially in rural areas, to foster digitalization and industry development.

The mobile industry serves as a primary source of telecommunications and internet access in the country, noted AMTOB Secretary General (retd) Lt Col Mohammad Zulfikar.

He highlighted that levies on the sector are relatively high compared to other sectors and significantly higher than in other countries.