Revenue Collection Rises 12 Percent in One Year

Ahmed Ferdous Khan

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) collected 12.03 percent more tax revenue in one year. In the 2025–26 fiscal year, the NBR collected a total of 4 lakh 15 thousand 473 crore taka. Collection grew compared with the previous fiscal year, but the NBR did not reach its target. By the end of the year, it had collected 82.60 percent of the target. The shortfall now stands at 87 thousand 527 crore taka.

A report from Bangladesh Bank shared these facts. Sector experts say the growth is good, but missing the target is a worry. They say the large gap between the target and the actual collection calls for a review of overall progress. To find the reasons for the shortfall, they say sector wise revenue data and the views of those involved must be studied.

According to the Bangladesh Bank report, the NBR’s tax revenue target for 2025–26 was 5 lakh 3 thousand crore taka. The NBR collected 4 lakh 15 thousand 473 crore taka against it. So, even with double digit growth, nearly one fifth of the target was not met. This gap matters when we look at both growth and target achievement.

Tax collection rose from the previous year, but the government could not collect the amount set in the budget. For every 100 taka of the target, the NBR collected about 82 taka and 60 paisa. It could not collect the remaining 17 taka and 40 paisa. The shortfall of 87 thousand 527 crore taka shows the gap between the target and the actual collection.

NBR tax revenue is one of the main sources of government income. It plays an important role in paying for budget spending. When collection falls below the target, the gap between the government’s revenue plan and real collection becomes clear. Success in revenue collection depends on growth over last year and also on how much of the budget target is met.

VAT is the Biggest Source

Value Added Tax (VAT) gives the most to the NBR’s total tax revenue. The Bangladesh Bank report says VAT made up 37.89 percent of total tax revenue in 2025–26. Income tax gave 34.46 percent, and customs duty gave 8.53 percent. VAT leads income tax by 3.43 percentage points.

Among these three sectors, customs duty has the smallest share. Together, VAT, income tax and customs duty add up to 80.88 percent. The remaining 19.12 percent came from all other sectors. These figures show that most NBR tax revenue comes from VAT and income tax.

Total Tax Revenue Also Grows

The Bangladesh Bank report says total tax revenue, including NBR and non NBR revenue, grew 12.06 percent in 2025–26. So growth came not only from the NBR but also from non NBR sources. The NBR’s own tax revenue grew 12.03 percent. The difference between the two growth rates is 0.03 percentage points.

Why Revenue Matters for the Budget

Tax revenue is a main source of money for the budget, development work and regular administrative costs. So revenue growth is important, and so is progress toward the target. Both are key signs of how well the government manages public money.

In 2025–26, NBR revenue grew 12.03 percent, but collection stayed at 82.60 percent of the target. This shows a gap between growth and target achievement. Economists suggest that the budget should widen the tax net instead of only raising targets. They say the missed target needs serious review. To find the causes, they say we must study sector wise tax data, the basis for setting targets, and collection trends across the year.