Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) - The National Board of Revenue (NBR) posted a 15 per cent year-on-year growth in tax collection during the first five months of fiscal year (FY) 2025–26, although the intake remained nearly BDT 240 billion short of the target.
According to the latest official data, the revenue authority collected BDT 1,481.37 billion between July and November, up from BDT 1,289.46 billion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.
All three major revenue streams contributed to the growth. Local-level value-added tax (VAT) collection rose by about 22 per cent to BDT 582.31 billion, compared with BDT 477.43 billion a year earlier.
Income and travel taxes increased by 17 per cent to BDT 478.81 billion, while customs duties from international trade grew by 5.28 per cent to BDT 428.64 billion, supported by higher imports following the easing of restrictions.
Meanwhile, the government decided last month to raise the annual revenue collection target by 5.0 per cent to BDT 5,880 billion, departing from usual practice after stronger-than-expected revenue performance in the July–September period.
NBR officials remain optimistic that the gap between actual collections and the revised target may narrow, citing recent steps to expand capacity, including the addition of around 10 new tax zones across the country.
The upward revision comes at a time when Bangladesh is grappling with financing development projects amid a persistently low tax-to-GDP ratio, one of the lowest in the world.
BBN/SSR/AD