Ismail Zabiullah urges new taxpayers without burdening existing ones

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Public Administration and BNP Standing Committee member Md Ismail Zabihullah has called for bringing more eligible citizens into the tax net without putting additional pressure on existing taxpayers.

He said the government should simplify tax procedures, ensure hassle-free services for taxpayers and encourage people with the ability to pay taxes to do so voluntarily.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at the third induction ceremony and MTM Night 2026 organised by the Dhaka University Master of Tax Management (MTM) Alumni Association at a hotel in Dhaka on Saturday.

Zabihullah said one of the government’s key economic goals under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was to expand Bangladesh’s economy to $1 trillion by 2034.

To achieve the target, he said, the country needed to diversify its export products, increase domestic and foreign investment, accelerate industrialisation, create new entrepreneurs and develop a skilled workforce.

At the same time, he stressed the need to increase government revenue, ensure proper accounting of public funds, and strengthen transparency and accountability.

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Referring to Bangladesh’s tax-to-GDP ratio of around 6.7%, he said the rate was about 12% in India and 20% in China. Bangladesh also had a comparatively small number of taxpayers, he added, highlighting the need to reform the tax system alongside efforts to boost government revenue.

He said the government needed to improve operational efficiency and ensure the proper use of public money. Development projects should be assessed based on their expected return on investment (ROI), while public spending should prioritise citizens’ interests and tangible outcomes.

Addressing MTM alumni members, Zabihullah urged them to advise the government on reducing tax-related complexities, expanding online tax services, preventing tax evasion and improving the quality of services for taxpayers.

He also emphasised the need to raise public awareness about taxation and make greater use of artificial intelligence, data analytics and modern technology.

Members of the Dhaka University MTM Alumni Association attended the programme.