Govt grants tax rebate for donations to 9 welfare organisations

Government seal.

Dhaka, May 28 —The government has officially recognised nine non-profit organizations as public welfare institutions, enabling individual taxpayers to claim tax rebates for donations made to these entities.

According to a new gazette notification, donations or grants given by any individual taxpayer to these organisations will be exempted from income tax under the relevant provisions of the Income Tax Act.

The nine approved organisations are: Bangladesh Thalassemia Foundation, Mastul Foundation, SOS Children’s Village International in Bangladesh, Rogi Kallyan Samiti, Bangladesh National Federation of the Deaf, Gonoshasthaya Kendra, Dhaka Ahsania Mission, Palliative Care Society of Bangladesh (PCSB) and Agami Education Foundation.

The notification states that this exemption takes effect immediately and will remain valid until June 30, 2030.

This move is part of the government’s ongoing effort to encourage philanthropic contributions toward social welfare, healthcare, and education in Bangladesh.

The recognised organisations work in critical sectors such as medical support, education for underprivileged children, palliative care, and services for persons with disabilities.

Previously, only a limited number of institutions were eligible for such tax-exempt donations, but this new list reflects a broader recognition of impactful work being done by various organizations in the non-profit sector.

Officials from the National Board of Revenue (NBR) have confirmed that donors must retain proper documentation of their contributions to claim the tax benefit in their annual returns. - UNB