A high-level advisory panel has recommended establishing a dedicated commission to enhance the National Board of Revenue’s (NBR) capacity for tax administration and revenue collection through well-founded policies, reports UNB.
The proposed Revenue Commission aims to develop revenue policies aligned with the government's broader development strategy. Its framework will incorporate stakeholder proposals, international best practices, and insights from the government’s policy objectives, as outlined in an interim proposal recently submitted by the advisory panel.
This commission will feature a permanent advisory council with representatives from the Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Commerce, Finance Department, Bangladesh Bank, Tariff Commission, and other key sectors. It will also include eminent economists, experts in tax and fiscal matters, representatives from business organisations, think tanks, and civil society.
The suggestions come from a preliminary report prepared by a five-member advisory committee. This committee was formed by the interim government in October last year to spearhead reforms in the NBR. The members include former NBR chairmen Muhammad Abdul Mazid and Dr. Nasiruddin Ahmed, alongside former members M. Delowar Hossain, Farid Uddin, and Aminur Rahman.
The committee's mandate encompasses fiscal policy reform recommendations, revenue administration improvements, capacity assessments for the NBR, and proposals for modernisation. It also advises on institutional frameworks for integrity and governance, public communication, stakeholder engagement, and other areas relevant to revenue reform.
According to the interim report, the government will appoint skilled officers with substantial expertise in tax policy and revenue management to serve as Secretary or Senior Secretary of the Revenue Commission. These officers, drawn from the Income Tax, Customs, and VAT cadres, will serve fixed terms under specific policies tailored to the commission’s organisational needs.
The advisory council will meet at least quarterly to provide ongoing guidance to the Revenue Commission. This advice will shape customs and tax policies through consultation with stakeholders and adherence to international standards.
Additionally, the Customs and VAT Appellate Tribunal and the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal will be integrated into the restructured Revenue Commission. To improve accessibility for stakeholders, including the Appellate Court, the commission’s headquarters will be located outside the Secretariat and the Revenue Building, ensuring easier travel and communication.
This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to modernising the NBR and fostering a more efficient and transparent revenue administration system.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
