The International Business Forum of Bangladesh (IBFB) held a Discussion Session on its recent research findings on “Complexities in the Income Tax Laws: A Quest for a simpler Taxation System” on Tuesday, 12 January 2010 at the Hotel Aristocrat, Rajshahi. Mr. Khairuzzaman Liton, Hon’ble Mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation was present as the Chief Guest, while Mr. Mijanur Rahman Minu, former mayor, Rajshahi City Corporation, Mr. Md. Hafizur Rahman Bhuiyan, Divisional Commissioner of Rajshahi were present as Special Guests,  Mr. Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury, President, IBFB and former Mayor, Chittagong City Corporation, chaired the session. Prof. Swapan Kumar Bala, Dept. of Accounting and Information System, University of Dhaka, presented the findings from the study.  

In his speech, Mr. Bhuiyan expressed hope that the Discussion Session will help to alleviate some of the fears related to paying income taxes. If the people do not pay their taxes, then the government will not run properly, and that it would be shameful for the nation if people were too keen to doge taxes. Currently, only 9% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) comes from taxes, whereas in developed countries, this figure stands around at least 17%. He felt that a reason for the gap between the tax sector and the taxpayers is due to the mistrust between themselves. If people have the proper knowledge about taxes, then he felt that no one can trick the taxpayers regarding their due taxes.

Mr. Mizanur Rahman Minu said that although the northern region has less infrastructural development, there is still hope as evident from the construction of the Jamuna bridge. He feels that we should try to imitate the tax structure and methods of collecting taxes as used by Singapore or Sri Lanka if more tax revenues are to be collected.

Mr. Khairuzzaman Liton said in his speech that in most European countries, taxes are deducted directly from the paycheques of the citizens, and that the benefits are felt by the taxpayers from those countries. This will not be possible in Bangladesh if people do not pay their taxes properly. He opined that it is not a bad thing to dream, and in this regard, we should dream of a developed Bangladesh and do the proper things to ensure that this dream comes true.


In his opening remarks, Mr. Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury said that the research conducted by IBFB was done in an unbiased manner due to the relevant importance of the topic. He also hoped that the findings from this research will help the government in determining the right policies and ensuring accountability and transparency in this sector. He also recommended forming a parliamentary caucus with the assistance of the members of parliament, to resolve these problems, along with other business related issues, especially those pertaining to Rajshahi city and the northern region as a whole.