The National Board of Revenue has extended the deadline for submitting online Value Added Tax (VAT) returns for the month of March, allowing taxpayers additional time until 23 April to complete their filings.
Under the revised directive, businesses and registered VAT payers will now be able to submit their monthly returns beyond the usual cut-off date of the 15th of each month. The adjustment has been introduced specifically for the March tax period in response to a combination of public holidays and ongoing technical maintenance work on the online VAT management system.
An official notice issued on Tuesday confirmed the extension, stating that the decision was taken in consideration of operational disruptions caused by the Bengali New Year holidays, alongside scheduled system upgrades and maintenance activities. These factors collectively led to temporary difficulties in accessing and submitting returns through the digital platform.
According to the Value Added Tax and Supplementary Duty Act, 2012, registered taxpayers are required to file monthly returns detailing sales, purchases, and VAT-related transactions within the prescribed deadline. Failure to comply with the timeline typically results in financial penalties, fines, and potential administrative complications for businesses. As such, timely submission remains a critical compliance requirement within the country’s tax framework.
Officials noted that the extension is intended to ensure taxpayers are not unfairly penalised due to circumstances beyond their control, particularly during periods of public holidays and system upgrades. They also emphasised that the ongoing digitalisation of VAT administration is aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and service delivery in the long term, even if short-term disruptions occasionally occur.
The decision has been broadly welcomed by the business community. Many taxpayers, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, often face challenges in preparing and submitting returns within tight deadlines due to limited accounting capacity and heavy workload during festive periods. The additional time is expected to ease compliance pressure and reduce filing errors.
Summary of Deadline Change
| Item | Previous Deadline | Revised Deadline | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| March VAT Return (Online Submission) | 15th of each month | 23 April | Bengali New Year holidays and ongoing system maintenance/upgrades |
Business stakeholders have expressed optimism that the extension will allow for more accurate record-keeping and smoother submission processes. It is also expected to strengthen overall tax compliance by reducing last-minute filing pressure and minimising errors in reporting.
Overall, the move reflects a practical adjustment within the VAT administration system, balancing revenue collection efficiency with taxpayer convenience. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to building a more robust and user-friendly digital tax infrastructure that supports both compliance and ease of doing business.