The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has embarked on a major initiative to digitally link taxpayers’ financial data with banks, allowing seamless access to critical information required for filing tax returns. The move is expected to reduce paperwork, minimise manual interventions, and improve transparency in tax administration.
The initiative will enable taxpayers to automatically access details such as closing account balances, interest income, taxes deducted at source, and bank charges—eliminating the need to physically visit banks or collect multiple documents.
NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan made the announcement on Tuesday while inaugurating a real-time data integration system for commercial invoices in collaboration with Bangladesh Bank (BB) at the NBR headquarters. “The initiative is now underway with Bangladesh Bank,” he said, adding that the system is designed to streamline data collection, which was previously fragmented and sometimes incurred extra costs for taxpayers.
He further noted that the NBR intends to phase out the acceptance of physical documents for commercial imports and exports, ensuring greater transparency. “From now on, no manual verification of commercial invoices will be required, as the system will provide accurate, real-time data,” he said.
The digital integration is expected to extend to other critical areas, including Chittagong Port operations and the immigration system, allowing a more comprehensive tax monitoring framework. Under the proposed mechanism, foreign nationals will be required to clear outstanding tax liabilities before departure, significantly reducing revenue leakage.
Chairman Khan emphasised that the initiative represents a major step in digital integration between NBR and BB, enabling real-time data sharing and reducing the scope for human error or manipulation.
Md Mubinul Kabir, Member (Customs Policy) of the NBR, highlighted that the move would curb the alleged influence of unscrupulous businessmen over customs officials, preventing undue advantages and reinforcing fair trade practices.
Key Taxpayer Data to be Linked
| Data Type | Purpose | Access Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Closing Account Balances | Verification of taxable assets | Automatic retrieval |
| Interest Income | Accurate declaration in tax returns | Automatic retrieval |
| Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) | Ensures proper credit against tax liabilities | Automatic retrieval |
| Bank Charges | Streamlines expense reporting | Automatic retrieval |
This system represents a significant leap towards digital tax governance, promising efficiency, transparency, and accountability across banking and tax administration in Bangladesh.