The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has issued a special directive today that exempts five specific categories of taxpayers from the requirement to file their income tax returns online. Nonetheless, online filing will still be compulsory for all other taxpayers.

The order was signed by NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan. The five categories of taxpayers exempted from online filing include: 1. Senior taxpayers aged 65 and older; 2. Taxpayers with physical disabilities or special needs (upon submission of a certificate); 3. Bangladeshi taxpayers living abroad; 4. Legal representatives of deceased taxpayers; and 5. Foreign nationals employed in Bangladesh. However, these individuals still have the option to file their income tax returns online if they choose to do so.

Previously, on August 3, it was mandated that all categories of taxpayers nationwide file their income tax returns online (www.etaxnbr.gov.bd).

According to the NBR, if an individual taxpayer encounters difficulties filing their income tax return online due to registration problems in the e-return system, they may submit a paper return with the approval of the relevant Additional or Joint Tax Commissioner by October 31, provided they apply to the appropriate Excise Commissioner with a valid justification.

Last year, when online return filing was made mandatory for individual taxpayers on a limited basis, over 1.7 million individual taxpayers successfully filed e-returns online.

Taxpayers have the convenience of paying their taxes online from home using various methods such as bank transfer, debit card, credit card, bKash, Rocket, Nagad, or any other mobile financial service application. They can instantly print the e-return filing receipt and can automatically generate the income tax certificate by providing the necessary information.