Panel Proposes Commission to Boost NBR’s Revenue Capacity

NBR building

The proposed Revenue Commission would focus on formulating revenue policies aligned with the government's broader development strategy, incorporating feedback from stakeholders, and implementing international best practices. According to the interim proposal submitted recently, the commission would also include a permanent advisory council with representatives from key government ministries, Bangladesh Bank, business organizations, think tanks, and economists.

The suggestions are part of a preliminary report by a five-member advisory committee, established by the interim government in October last year to drive reforms within the NBR. The committee includes former NBR chairmen Muhammad Abdul Mazid and Dr. Nasiruddin Ahmed, along with former members M Delowar Hossain, Farid Uddin, and Aminur Rahman.

The committee’s mandate includes advising on fiscal and revenue administration reforms, enhancing NBR’s institutional capacity, modernizing operations, promoting good governance, and improving stakeholder engagement. It also recommends appointing experienced officers from the Income Tax, Customs, and VAT cadres to lead the Revenue Commission, with positions such as Secretary/Senior Secretary filled on a fixed-term basis.

Additionally, the advisory council will provide quarterly guidance on tax and customs policies, ensuring they are shaped by consultation with stakeholders and international standards. The report also calls for the reconstitution of the Customs and VAT Appellate Tribunal and the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal within the new commission.

To ensure accessibility, the committee suggests locating the restructured Revenue Commission outside the Secretariat and Revenue Building, making it easier for stakeholders, including the Appellate Courts, to engage with the commission’s services.