The National Board of Revenue (NBR) recorded 15.15 per cent year-on-year growth in collection during the first five months of the current fiscal year although the revenue authority fell significantly short of its collection target.
According to official NBR data, total revenue collection amounted to Tk148,976 crore during the July–November period of FY26.
In comparison, the NBR had collected Tk129,379.61 crore during the same period of the previous fiscal year.
Despite the growth, the revenue authority could not achieve the target set for the period.
The government had fixed a revenue collection target of Tk173,023.55 crore for the first five months of the fiscal year. As a result, the NBR recorded a shortfall of Tk24,047.55 crore.
Officials said the shortfall reflects continued economic challenges, including subdued import demand, slower industrial activity and compliance gaps, even as the revenue system shows signs of gradual recovery.
A breakdown of the figures shows that revenue collection from the import and export stage stood at Tk42,864 crore during the period.
Collection from domestic value-added tax (VAT) amounted to Tk58,231 crore, while income tax and travel tax together contributed Tk47,881 crore.
The data indicate that domestic VAT remained the largest source of revenue during the period, followed by income tax and import-export duties.
Revenue experts said that while the year-on-year growth is encouraging, meeting the annual revenue target will require stronger enforcement, expanded tax net coverage and improved compliance in the coming months.
The government has recently taken several initiatives to boost revenue collection, including mandatory online income tax return submissions, increased digitisation of tax administration and efforts to enhance transparency and accountability within the revenue system.
However, economists caution that sustained growth will depend not only on administrative reforms but also on broader economic recovery, improved business confidence and stable trade flows.
Prof Mustafizur Rahman, distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), said Bangladesh has one of the lowest tax-to-GDP ratios in the world, which continues to constrain the country’s economic and social development.
Speaking to The Times of Bangladesh, he said that the low tax-to-GDP ratio has resulted in limited public spending, increased dependence on borrowing, and widening income inequality.
He further warned that Bangladesh is gradually slipping into a vicious cycle due to inadequate tax mobilisation, adversely affecting the social safety net, increasing the cost of doing business, and slowing private-sector growth.
“To reduce the fiscal deficit, it is essential to close tax loopholes and ensure good governance through zero tolerance towards tax defaulters,” he added.
