DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed called upon businesses to actively participate in digital revenue management and its automated processes during an important workshop held at the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) auditorium in Motijheel, the capital. He stressed that this involvement is essential to ensure full compliance in business operations and to overcome various existing obstacles in tax payment within the current economic context. He made these remarks at the inaugural ceremony of the workshop titled 'Changes and Modifications in VAT, Tax, Customs Law, and Personal E-Return Management in the Budget for the Fiscal Year 2026-27' on Thursday (August 27, 2026).
In his opening remarks at the workshop, DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed noted that the government has introduced several groundbreaking changes in the Value Added Tax (VAT), income tax, customs duty, and e-return systems in the current fiscal year's budget. He urged all entrepreneurs to gain a correct and complete understanding of these revised policies to ensure compliance in their business activities. Simultaneously, he expressed the view that acquiring knowledge about the government-introduced automated revenue management and digital activities is crucial for successfully overcoming existing complexities and obstacles in tax payment, as well as for increasing the contribution of taxes to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Additional Commissioner Nirjhar Ahmed of the Customs, Excise & VAT Commissionerate, Dhaka (West) under the National Board of Revenue (NBR), was present as a special guest at the event. In his speech, he praised the role of the country's entrepreneurs, stating that businesses contribute financially to all government development projects through their revenue payments. Therefore, their contribution to the nation's economic progress is undeniable. Nirjhar Ahmed further added that entrepreneurs need to be constantly aware and informed about the revised rules and regulations of revenue management to ensure transparency and compliance in all aspects of business.
NBR Additional Commissioner Nirjhar Ahmed elaborated at the workshop that the government has made VAT registration (BIN) mandatory in several important areas in this year's budget. These include obtaining and renewing trade licenses for business establishments, opening bank accounts, and acquiring and renewing membership in trade organizations. He specifically urged entrepreneurs who do not yet have VAT registration to complete their VAT registration as soon as possible. Additionally, he mentioned the provision under Section 64 of the VAT Act to allow VAT returns to be filed for three tax periods instead of one, which he hopes will make the business operation process easier and more dynamic.
Nirjhar Ahmed also informed that, in response to long-standing demands from businesses, the government has amended the previous provision requiring a 10 percent deposit of the claimed tax when filing an appeal with the Appellate Tribunal. According to this revised rule, only one percent of the claimed tax needs to be deposited for appeals to the Appellate Tribunal, and two percent for appeals to the High Court. He described this change as highly positive, stating that it will significantly reduce business costs and make participation in legal processes easier, which will be favorable for the country's overall investment climate.
Two separate and informative sessions were held on income tax and Value Added Tax (VAT) during the workshop. In these sessions, Snehashish Barua, FCA, Advisor to the Dhaka Chamber's Customs, VAT Standing Committee, and Md. Shafiqul Alam, Joint Convener, respectively, presented key papers, providing participants with detailed insights into various laws and policies. Representatives from over 100 member organizations of the Dhaka Chamber actively participated in the workshop, reflecting their interest in the importance of digital revenue management. DCCI Director M. Mosharraf Hossain was present and assisted in the overall organization of the event.
This workshop is an important part of the government's ongoing efforts to promote digital transformation in the country's trade and commerce sector and to enhance transparency and efficiency in revenue management. Such programs, jointly organized by DCCI and NBR, help raise awareness among entrepreneurs and enable them to adapt to the changed legal framework. This not only reduces complexities in tax payment but also increases the contribution of revenue to the country's overall economic growth, playing a supportive role in building a developed and prosperous Bangladesh.
