The government is set to change the deadline for filing VAT returns as part of efforts to accelerate revenue collection at the field level.
The Cabinet on Monday, Sept 28, gave final approval to the draft Value Added Tax and Supplementary Duty (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026 at a meeting held at the Bangladesh Secretariat.
The draft proposes reintroducing a provision requiring VAT returns to be submitted within 15 days of the end of each tax period, instead of within 15 days after every three tax periods.
The Cabinet Division disclosed the decision in a press release.
According to the release, the draft ordinance proposes amendments to Section 64 of the Value Added Tax and Supplementary Duty Act, 2012 to increase the pace of revenue collection at the field level.
Under the proposed provision, returns must be submitted within 15 days of the end of each tax period. If the 15th day falls on a government holiday, the return must be submitted on the following working day.
However, government, semi-government and autonomous organisations, banks, insurance companies, and individuals or institutions that file zero returns will be allowed to submit their returns within 20 days of the end of the relevant tax period.
The draft Value Added Tax and Supplementary Duty (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026 received final approval subject to vetting by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division.
