Amid widespread protest against value added tax (VAT) increase in various sectors the government has decided to revert VAT at restaurants to 5%.
The NBR announced the removal of the additional VAT on Thursday (January 16), as the Bangladesh Restaurant Owners Association staged a human chain and protest in front of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka.
Barrister Bodruzzaman Munshi, the Second Secretary (VAT Act and Rule) at NBR, announced that the VAT, which had been raised from 5% to 15%, will remain at 5% for restaurants. This decision comes after reconsideration in response to requests from restaurant and shop owner associations. Munshi further clarified that the proposed increase in supplementary and other taxes will not apply to restaurants and hotels.
The government has already finalized its decision, and a notification will be issued by the end of the day.
Bd-Pratidin English/ARK
