NBR Launches Automated Bank-Tax Link System

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has initiated a major programme to digitally integrate taxpayers’ banking information with its own systems, aiming to streamline tax administration and minimise manual processes. The move is expected to provide taxpayers with effortless access to crucial financial data and reduce reliance on physical documentation.

Under the initiative, taxpayers will be able to automatically retrieve details such as closing account balances, interest income, tax deducted at source, and bank charges. Previously, collecting these data required separate visits to banks and sometimes incurred additional fees. The digital linkage promises a seamless and cost-effective solution.

Chairman of NBR, Abdur Rahman Khan, inaugurated a real-time data integration system for commercial invoices with Bangladesh Bank (BB) at the NBR headquarters on Tuesday. “This initiative is currently under implementation with Bangladesh Bank and represents a significant step toward modernising tax administration,” he said.

Mr Khan highlighted that the NBR plans to gradually discontinue the acceptance of physical documents for commercial imports and exports. “With this system, manual verification of commercial invoices is no longer necessary as the data will be accurate and automatically verified in real time,” he added.

The integration is expected to expand to include Chittagong Port operations and the immigration system, ensuring that foreign nationals settle any outstanding tax liabilities before leaving the country. This measure is designed to prevent revenue leakage and enhance compliance.

He emphasised that the collaboration between NBR and BB marks a significant advance in digital governance, facilitating real-time data sharing, reducing human error, and eliminating opportunities for undue influence in tax administration.

Md Mubinul Kabir, Member (Customs Policy) of NBR, remarked that the system will help curb alleged undue influence by certain businesspersons over customs officials, ensuring fair and transparent practices in trade and taxation.

Key Taxpayer Data Linked via Digital Integration

The initiative marks a substantial step toward digital transformation in Bangladesh’s tax administration, promising improved efficiency, transparency, and reduced compliance burdens for taxpayers.