NBR Launches E-Return System Offering Incentive for Early Filing

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has officially launched the online income tax return submission portal, known as e-Return, for individual taxpayers for the 2026–27 assessment year. To encourage prompt tax compliance, the revenue authority announced a 5 per cent financial incentive on net payable tax—capped at a maximum of Tk 25,000—for taxpayers filing their returns between July and September.

The announcement came via an official press release issued by the NBR on Wednesday (22 July).

According to the NBR, the digital portal was opened on 22 July to make tax compliance simpler, faster, and more transparent for individual citizens. The online platform has gained substantial momentum since its debut in 2021. During the preceding 2025–26 assessment year, a record 4.7 million individual taxpayers successfully submitted their tax files using the e-Return portal, allowing citizens to prepare and submit annual returns directly from home.

The tax regulator has made online filing mandatory for all standard individual taxpayers through a special order. Exemption from mandatory digital filing applies to specific groups, including senior citizens aged 65 and above, physically incapacitated individuals or persons with special needs submitting valid certificates, non-resident Bangladeshis residing abroad, legal representatives of deceased taxpayers, and foreign nationals employed within Bangladesh. These exempted categories retain the option to submit paper-based physical tax returns.

Taxpayers facing technical issues regarding registration on the digital system may also file paper returns, provided they obtain formal authorization from the relevant Additional or Joint Commissioner of Taxes.

Taxpayers can complete payments through bank transfers, debit or credit cards, alongside major mobile financial services such as bKash, Rocket, and Nagad. Once accurate return information is submitted, users can immediately download their official acknowledgement receipts and tax certificates directly from the platform.

To assist users experiencing difficulties during the filing process, the revenue board has activated a dedicated call centre alongside online support channels, operating during regular business hours on working days.

The revenue authority outlined clear deadlines regarding the newly introduced incentive structure for the 2026–27 assessment year. Taxpayers submitting returns within the initial July-to-September window qualify for the 5 per cent tax rebate. Submissions completed after September will forfeit eligibility for the incentive, whilst filings delayed beyond December will incur statutory financial penalties and additional tax liabilities. The NBR has urged all eligible taxpayers to complete their filings well within the stipulated timeframe.