The Bangladesh Ambulance Owners’ Welfare Association has warned the government that failure to suspend the collection of multiple years’ Advance Income Tax (AIT) by 13 December will force an indefinite halt to ambulance services nationwide from 14 December.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday at the Sagar Runi Auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity, association leaders said the accumulated AIT burden had become unbearable for many owners. They warned it was jeopardising essential emergency services.
In a formal appeal to the Inspector General of Police, the association requested a temporary halt to filing cases related to ambulance documentation. They urged that enforcement remain suspended until the pending “Ambulance Service Policy 2025” receives final approval.
The association explained that private ambulances are traditionally registered as “not for hire,” grouping them with personal vehicles and subjecting them to higher AIT rates.
Section 31(1) of the Road Transport Act 2028, however, allows ambulances to be registered commercially, which would significantly reduce tax obligations.
During 2020–2023, AIT collection from ambulances was waived. But the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has recently directed owners to pay AIT for the previous four years, plus one additional year in advance.
Owners said this five-year payable amount is financially crippling. It has stalled document renewals for thousands of vehicles, exposing operators to legal complications that could disrupt services.
Following a meeting with the BRTA Chairman on 28 October, the association submitted a revised and “more practical” policy draft on 2 November. The updated proposal includes detailed recommendations on registration procedures and legal recognition for individually owned and locally licensed ambulances.
Despite repeated assurances during earlier strike threats in July 2023 and April 2025, the association says substantive progress has yet to materialise.
To minimise public disruption, ambulance owners have pledged to maintain full services from 8–13 December while discussions continue. They have also requested BRTA and law enforcement agencies to refrain from imposing fines, filing cases, or seizing vehicles over document issues during this period.
The association emphasised that ambulances form a critical component of the nation’s emergency healthcare system, including voluntary involvement in the 999 service. They called on the government to take swift and compassionate measures to resolve the crisis and avert interruptions to essential medical transport nationwide.
