Dr Salehuddin urges young economists to embrace broader perspective
NN Online:
Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Monday called on the country’s young economists to approach economic matters with deeper understanding and a balanced mindset, instead of focusing solely on the negatives. Speaking at a seminar organized by the National Board of Revenue (NBR), he criticized a section of junior economists for ignoring positive developments in the country’s economy.
“There are some young economists who refuse to see anything good. I’ve been teaching since 1970, and many of them are my students. To see reality clearly, one must use their ‘inner eyes’,” said Dr Salehuddin.
The seminar, held at the NBR headquarters, discussed income tax, VAT, and customs measures in the 2025-26 budget, and marked the official launch of the NBR’s online tax return submission system. NBR Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan presided over the event.
Dr Salehuddin acknowledged that the government is not free from mistakes, but urged critics to also recognize progress. “It’s about attitude. If someone refuses to see good, they never will. Encouraging the good is crucial for national progress,” he said, urging media outlets to highlight achievements instead of always emphasizing failures.
He praised the NBR for introducing the e-return system, calling it a major step toward transparency and accountability. “NBR is not just about tax collection—it is central to trade and commerce. Ensuring transparency in implementation is just as important as drafting good laws,” he added.
The Adviser emphasized that personal biases among officials could hinder effective policy enforcement. “Those executing the law may be influenced by anger or favoritism. This must be addressed,” he told NBR staff.
Meanwhile, the NBR announced that from August 4, 2025, online submission of income tax returns will be mandatory for all individual taxpayers, except for specific exempt groups—such as senior citizens over 65, persons with disabilities, expatriate Bangladeshis, and legal heirs of deceased taxpayers.
Taxpayers unable to file online due to technical registration issues may request permission to file paper returns by submitting an application to the relevant tax office by October 31, 2025.
The NBR’s e-return platform—www.etaxnbr.gov.bd—will allow taxpayers to file returns and make payments from home using bank transfers, cards, or mobile financial services like bKash, Nagad, Rocket, and others. Dedicated support teams will also be available 24/7 to assist users and resolve technical issues.
Last year, over 1.7 million people submitted their returns online after a partial rollout of the system, which was limited to bank employees and certain corporate sectors.