The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has made it mandatory for all individual taxpayers across the country to file income tax returns online. However, some special categories of taxpayers have been allowed to file paper returns. The NBR said this information in a press release on Sunday.

The National Board of Revenue order states that senior taxpayers aged 65 years or above, taxpayers who are physically disabled or have special needs, Bangladeshi taxpayers residing abroad, and legal representatives on behalf of deceased taxpayers can file paper returns instead of online if they wish, subject to submission of a certificate.

The process of filing returns for the tax year 2025-26 will begin from Monday. Taxpayers can file their returns online by visiting the website www.etaxnbr.gov.bd.

However, if someone fails to file their return online due to registration issues in the e-return system, they will be allowed to file a paper return with the approval of the Additional/Combined Tax Commissioner if they apply to the concerned Excise Commissioner by October 31, 2025, explaining the rationale.

Incidentally, after online return filing was made mandatory for certain taxpayer categories last year, more than 1.7 million taxpayers responded and filed their returns online.

The NBR said taxpayers will be able to pay taxes from home through various mobile financial services including bank transfer, debit card, credit card, bKash, Rocket, Nagad, and others.

In addition, if there is any problem in filing returns online, round-the-clock service will be provided through the NBR's call center and other electronic means.