The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has officially launched its long-awaited Online VAT Refund Module, enabling businesses to apply for and receive Value Added Tax (VAT) refunds digitally. The move comes in response to a long-standing demand from the business community to simplify and automate the refund process.

In a notification issued on Sunday (November 9), the NBR announced that taxpayers can now submit refund applications, undergo verification, and receive payments directly to their bank accounts through the newly introduced digital platform.

According to the NBR, the existing Integrated VAT Administration System (iVAS) will be connected with the Finance Division’s iBAS++ system, ensuring that refunds are transferred automatically to taxpayers’ designated accounts via the Bangladesh Electronic Funds Transfer Network (BEFTN).

NBR’s Public Relations Officer Md. Al Amin Sheikh said the launch of the online refund system marks another significant step in the agency’s ongoing digital transformation efforts. “All operations are being gradually brought under full automation to ensure transparency, efficiency, and accountability,” he added.

Under the new system, taxpayers can request refunds while filing their VAT returns online. Once the relevant VAT Commissionerate verifies and approves the claim, the refund will be automatically disbursed, eliminating the need for manual paperwork or in-person visits to VAT offices.

The NBR has directed taxpayers with pending refund applications to reapply online using Form VAT-9.1. To facilitate the transition, training sessions have been arranged for VAT officials, and businesses can seek assistance from local Commissionerate offices if needed.

NBR Chairman Md. Abdur Rahman Khan earlier stated that the VAT return process will soon become fully paperless, as part of a broader effort to modernize tax administration in Bangladesh.

Industry insiders say the new system will not only save time and costs for businesses but also enhance transparency and trust in the country’s tax management system.