Even movement ended: NBR’s revenue set yet to recover

Staff Reporter :

In July, revenue collection fell short by nearly Tk 3,000 crore. Even after the movement came to a halt, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has not been able to improve its revenue collection.
The NBR released updated figures on July’s revenue collection on Wednesday.

According to the data, the NBR’s target for July was Tk 30,111 crore, but actual collection stood at Tk 27,249 crore-a shortfall of Tk 2,864 crore.

Due to the NBR employees’ movement in May and June, the last fiscal year saw a large revenue deficit. Expected revenue could not be collected in those two months, as various protest programs disrupted the process. NBR officials and employees staged the movement demanding rational reforms in the revenue sector. However, even in July, revenue collection did not regain momentum.

Several NBR officials said that after the movement, fear of dismissal and transfer has been prevailing among staff, leading to reduced focus on revenue collection.

According to NBR data, although there was a revenue shortfall in July this year, revenue collection was more than Tk 4,000 crore higher compared to July of the previous fiscal year. In July 2024, Tk 21,916 crore was collected. That month saw a mass student-public movement, with a curfew imposed for several days.

NBR figures show that in July this year, the highest revenue came from VAT, with Tk 11,352 crore collected from this sector. Customs brought in Tk 9,601 crore, while income tax accounted for Tk 6,294 crore.