Highlights of Bangladesh Budget (2024-2025) -

Highlights of Bangladesh Budget (2024-2025)

The Bangladesh budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 brings several significant changes compared to the previous year. This budget aims to address economic challenges while fostering growth and development. Key differences from the last fiscal year include increased allocations for infrastructure projects, adjustments in tax policies, and a focus on social welfare programs. Let’s delve into the specifics of the new budget and what it means for the country’s economy and its citizens.

Operating & Development Budget

The 2024-25 budget has been designed to balance operating expenses and development initiatives. The operating budget, which covers the day-to-day expenses of running the government, has seen a modest increase to accommodate rising costs in public services. On the other hand, the development budget has received a significant boost to support ongoing and new infrastructure projects, including transportation networks, energy projects, and digital infrastructure. The government has allocated a substantial portion of the budget to education and healthcare, emphasizing the need to improve these critical sectors. Additionally, there are targeted investments in technology and innovation, aiming to drive future economic growth.

OPERATING & DEVELOPMENT BUDGET 2024-25 (TAKA 7,970 BILLION) Resources Coming From

	Percentage	BDT Amount in Billion
FOREIGN GRANTS	0.50%	39.85
FOREIGN LOAN	11.40%	908.58
DOMESTIC LOAN	20.20%	1,609.94
NON-TAX REVENUE	5.80%	462.26
TAX REVENUE (NON-NBR)	1.90%	151.43
TAX REVENUE (NBR)	60.20%	4,797.94
	100.00%	7,970.00

Tax Revenue (NBR)

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has set ambitious targets for tax collection in the fiscal year 2024-25. The focus is on broadening the tax base and improving compliance to increase revenue. Measures include better enforcement of existing tax laws, introduction of new taxes in certain areas, and enhanced use of technology to track and collect taxes. A significant portion of the revenue will come from Value Added Tax (VAT), customs duties, and income taxes. The NBR is also looking to streamline the tax filing process to make it more user-friendly and efficient for taxpayers.

TAX REVENUE (NBR) Taka 4,800 BILLION (60.2%)
TAX REVENUE (NBR) Taka 4,800 BILLION (60.2%)
	Percentage	BDT Amount in Billion
VAT 38.1%	38.10%	1,828.02
Import Duty 10.3%	10.30%	494.19
Income Tax 36.6%	36.60%	1,756.05
Supplementary Duty 13.4%	13.40%	642.92
Others 1.6%	1.60%	76.77
	100.00%	4,797.94

Personal Income Tax

The personal income tax structure for the fiscal year 2024-25 has been revised to enhance progressivity, aiming to alleviate the tax burden on lower-income groups while ensuring that higher-income individuals contribute more. The government has increased the exemption limits for senior citizens, individuals with disabilities, and freedom fighters, providing additional relief to these specific groups. Tax filing procedures have been streamlined to make compliance easier and more efficient for taxpayers. These changes reflect a commitment to creating a fairer tax system that supports social equity and economic growth. As a result, the revised tax policy aims to balance the need for revenue generation with the goal of protecting vulnerable segments of the population.

The rate of personal income tax is proposed to be updated as follows:

Amount of Taxable Income
Existing	Rate	Proposed	Rate
First Tk. 350,000 or as applicable	Nil	First Tk. 350,000 or as applicable	Nil
Next Tk. 100,000	5%	Next Tk. 100,000	5%
Next Tk. 300,000	10%	Next Tk. 400,000	10%
Next Tk. 400,000	15%	Next Tk. 500,000	15%
Next Tk. 500,000	20%	Next Tk. 500,000	20%
On the balance	25%	Next Tk. 2,000,000	25%
On the balance	25%	On the balance	30%

Exemption

The exemption limit for specific cases remains unchanged from last year as follows:

Female taxpayers and taxpayers at the age of 65 years or above will enjoy tax exemption up to Tk. 400,000.
Taxpayers of third gender and with a disability will enjoy tax exemption up to Tk. 475,000.
Gazetteer freedom fighters will enjoy tax exemption up to Tk. 500,000.
Parents or legal guardians of disabled individuals will enjoy a further exemption of BDT 50,000 in addition to their existing limit of tax exempted income. If both parents of a disabled individual are taxpayers, then one of them will be eligible for this increased limit of exemption.

***Individuals having assets more than Tk. 50 lacs (previously Tk. 40 lacs) will now be required to furnish a “Statement of Assets and Liabilities” at the time of tax return filing.

Surcharge

Any individual taxpayer whose total net worth as per their Personal Balance Sheet and Lifestyle Statement exceeds the permissible limit will be subject to a surcharge on income tax in the following manner:

Net Worth
Particular	Existing	Proposed
Up to Tk. 40,000,000	Nil	Unchanged
Tk. 40,000,001 to Tk. 100,000,000 or owns more than one motor car in his/her name, or Owns property of more than 8,000 square feet in any city corporation area	10%
Tk. 100,000,001 to Tk. 200,000,000	20%
Tk. 200,000,001 to Tk. 500,000,000	30%
Above Tk. 500,000,000	35%

Corporate Income Tax

The corporate income tax rates for the fiscal year 2024-25 have been adjusted to foster business growth and investment. Publicly traded companies will maintain their tax rate at 25%, while non-publicly traded companies will continue to pay 32.5%. To stimulate entrepreneurship, the government has introduced specific incentives for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups, including tax holidays and reduced rates for new businesses. Additionally, targeted incentives for key sectors such as IT and renewable energy aim to promote innovation and sustainable development. These measures are designed to create a more favorable business environment, encouraging economic expansion and job creation.

Rates of Corporate Tax:

Description	Existing	Proposed	Applicable tax rate if fails to meet the condition
A publicly traded company that issues shares worth more than 10 percent of its paid-up capital through an Initial Public Offering (IPO)	20.00%	Unchanged	22.50%
A publicly traded company that issues shares worth ten percent or less than ten percent of its paid-up capital through an IPO	22.50%	Unchanged	25.00%
Non-publicly traded company	27.50%	25.00%	27.50%
One Person Company (OPC)	22.50%	20.00%	22.50%
Publicly traded banks, insurance, and financial institutions (except merchant banks)	37.50%	Unchanged	Condition not applicable
Non-publicly traded banks, insurance, and financial institutions (except merchant banks)	40.00%	Unchanged	Condition not applicable
Merchant bank	37.50%	Unchanged	Condition not applicable
Companies and entities other than the company producing all sorts of tobacco items including cigarettes, bidi, chewing tobacco, and gull	45% + 2.5% (Surcharge)	Unchanged	Condition not applicable
Publicly traded mobile operator company	40.00%	45.00%	Condition not applicable
Non-publicly traded mobile operator company	45.00%	Unchanged	Condition not applicable
Recognized Provident Fund, Approved Gratuity, Superannuation and Pension Fund	15.00%	Unchanged	Condition not applicable
Trusts, funds (other than above), the association of persons, and other taxable entities	27.50%	Unchanged	Condition not applicable
Co-operative societies registered under the Co-operative Societies Act, 2001	15.00%	20.00%	Condition not applicable
Private university, private medical college, private dental college, private engineering college, or private college solely dedicated to imparting education on ICT	15.00%	Unchanged	Condition not applicable

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