Revenue Collection Faces Tk98,000 Crore Shortfall

Bangladesh’s revenue collection has taken a significant hit in the first nine months of the 2025–26 fiscal year, with a shortfall of nearly Tk98,000 crore, according to data from the National Board of Revenue.

The gap has already surpassed last fiscal year’s total deficit by Tk5,364 crore. In FY 2024–25, the revenue shortfall stood at Tk92,626 crore, highlighting the deepening pressure on public finances despite some overall growth in collection.

Between July 2025 and March 2026, total revenue collection reached Tk287,862 crore, up 11.15 percent from Tk258,996 crore in the same period last year. However, this was still far below the revised target of Tk385,852 crore, leaving a gap of Tk97,990 crore.

The shortfall widened sharply in March alone, when revenue collection fell behind the monthly target by about Tk26,500 crore. Growth for the month stood at just 2.67 percent year-on-year, indicating a slowdown in momentum.

A sector-wise breakdown shows income tax recorded the largest gap. Against a nine-month target of Tk139,118 crore, collection stood at Tk98,501 crore, leaving a deficit of Tk40,617 crore.

Value-added tax (VAT) collection reached Tk109,138 crore against a target of Tk143,538 crore, resulting in a shortfall of Tk34,400 crore. Customs duties also underperformed, collecting Tk80,223 crore against a target of Tk103,196 crore, leaving a deficit of Tk22,973 crore.

Despite the overall gap, all major revenue streams showed positive growth compared to the previous year. Income tax rose by 11.25 percent, VAT by 13.66 percent, and customs duties by 7.77 percent during the July–March period.