Over 40 lakh taxpayers file income tax returns online in BD

More than 40 lakh taxpayers in Bangladesh have submitted their income tax returns electronically for the 2025–26 tax year, reflecting a sharp expansion in the use of the country’s digital filing system, according to the National Board of Revenue (NBR).

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the tax authority said nearly 50 lakh individuals have registered with the government’s e-return platform since August 4, 2025. Of those registered users, over 40 lakh have already completed the process of filing their income tax returns online.

The growth in electronic filing follows a government directive making online submission mandatory this year for most individual taxpayers. Exemptions remain in place for senior citizens aged 65 and above, persons with disabilities, Bangladeshi citizens living abroad, legal representatives submitting returns on behalf of deceased taxpayers and foreign nationals working in Bangladesh.

NBR data indicate that the number of taxpayers using the e-return system has increased steadily over recent months. In August 2025, some 2,51,784 taxpayers filed returns online. The figure rose to 3,01,302 in September and exceeded 4,54,076 in October. Submissions surged to 10,40,472 in November and remained high in December with 9,78,198 filings.

Electronic submissions continued into 2026, with 6,55,363 returns filed in January and 2,94,987 in February. During the first four days of March alone, 36,700 taxpayers used the online platform to file their returns.

The rise represents a substantial increase compared with the previous tax year, when around 13,99,655 taxpayers filed returns electronically within the official deadline.

Gender-based data from the NBR show that male taxpayers accounted for the majority of filings, with 28,66,618 returns submitted by men and 11,36,003 by women. Among them, 16,10,750 men and 4,78,566 women reported income from salaries as their primary source of earnings.

The data also reveal that a large number of taxpayers reported income below the taxable threshold. This group included 14,35,630 male taxpayers and 7,65,197 female taxpayers.

Within higher income categories, 5,34,954 men and 1,93,837 women declared earnings between Tk 5 lakh and Tk 10 lakh. Incomes ranging from Tk 10 lakh to Tk 20 lakh were reported by 1,64,983 male taxpayers and 47,532 female taxpayers.

Meanwhile, 54,212 men and 11,455 women reported income between Tk 20 lakh and Tk 40 lakh, while 29,080 male taxpayers and 5,117 female taxpayers declared earnings above Tk 40 lakh.

The NBR also noted that 39,363 male taxpayers and 11,065 female taxpayers paid surcharge due to the level of assets declared in their tax returns.

Although overseas Bangladeshis are not required to file electronically, the revenue authority said they can register for the system by submitting passport and national identity details through email verification. Once approved, they receive a one-time password and registration link allowing them to submit returns from abroad.

The e-return system allows taxpayers to complete the entire filing process digitally without uploading supporting documents. By entering details of income, expenditure, assets and liabilities into the platform, taxpayers can submit returns and pay dues using debit or credit cards, internet banking or mobile financial services, including bKash and Nagad.

Once submitted, the system immediately generates an acknowledgement slip and an income tax certificate. Taxpayers also have the option to revise their returns within 180 days of submission. According to the NBR, more than 56,000 revised returns have already been filed for the current tax year.

To assist users, the revenue authority has introduced several support mechanisms, including a dedicated call centre, online complaint submission through the eTax portal and help desks in tax zones across the country.

Officials said SMS reminders have also been sent to individual taxpayers encouraging them to submit their returns online to avoid penalties. The NBR has urged all eligible taxpayers to file their e-returns for the 2025–26 tax year by March 31, 2026.