Md Asaduz Zaman

The government is set to backtrack from its plans to reintroduce a wealth tax and impose a first-ever advance income tax (AIT) on motorcycles and battery-run auto-rickshaws in the upcoming budget for fiscal year 2026-27, according to officials familiar with the matter.

Tax-free income ceiling to hit Tk 4.5 lakh by FY31

The government is likely to scrap taxes on new SIM cards and SIM replacements entirely in the upcoming budget, a move aimed at making mobile services more affordable for low-income people who do not currently own a handset, according to finance ministry officials.

Over the last decade, the tax administration has been missing its targets

The government is set to offer major tax relief to individuals and businesses in the national budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 by introducing a system to refund excess minimum tax payments, addressing a long-standing concern of taxpayers and investors.

The budget, by all accounts, will be a large one

The government is likely to reduce the advance income tax (AIT) on imported primary and industrial raw materials in the upcoming budget in a move aimed at easing cost pressures on businesses and consumers.

The government is likely to reintroduce a provision allowing the legalisation of undisclosed income through investment in selected sectors in the national budget for the next fiscal year.