Motorcycle users staged a human chain and protest demonstration against a proposed tax imposition on motorcycles in the capital on Sunday. The programme was held in front of the headquarters of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) in Agargaon, Dhaka.
During the protest, demonstrators lined up motorcycles on the road in front of the NBR building to express opposition to the reported plan for introducing new taxes on motorcycles. They protested against the potential tax measures through organised demonstration activities at the site.
The protesters argued that motorcycles are no longer a luxury item but have become an essential means of transport and livelihood for ordinary people. According to them, any form of taxation on motorcycles would create financial pressure and could negatively affect the livelihoods of many users.
There have been reports of discussions regarding the introduction of new advance income tax (AIT) or additional duties on motorcycle owners in the proposed budget for the 2026–2027 fiscal year. In response to these discussions, motorcycle users organised the protest and submitted a memorandum to the NBR Chairman.
In the memorandum, the demonstrators called for the withdrawal of the proposed advance income tax on motorcycles in the upcoming national budget.
Proposed Tax Structure
| Engine Capacity (cc) | Proposed Annual Advance Income Tax (AIT) |
|---|---|
| 111–125 cc | BDT 2,000 |
| 126–165 cc | BDT 5,000 |
| Above 165 cc | BDT 10,000 |
The memorandum stated that the proposed budget includes differentiated AIT rates based on engine capacity. According to the proposal, motorcycles in different categories would be subject to varying annual tax rates, which has led to concern among users.
Protesters further stated that motorcycles are widely used not only for personal transportation but also for income-generating activities, particularly among lower and middle-income groups. They maintained that the introduction of such taxes would have a direct financial impact on a large number of users.
The demonstration was conducted peacefully in front of the NBR headquarters. Following the protest, representatives of the motorcycle users formally submitted their memorandum to the NBR Chairman, urging reconsideration of the proposed tax measures in the 2026–2027 budget.