Staff Correspondent

Bangladesh lost over Tk 226,000 crore to tax evasion in 2023, with corporate tax evasion accounting for nearly half of the total, according to a new report by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).

The findings were revealed at a press briefing held at CPD’s Dhanmondi office in Dhaka on Monday (April 21), where the think tank presented a study titled "Corporate Income Tax Reform and Tax Fairness Perspective." 

CPD Senior Research Associate Tamim Ahmed led the presentation.

The report shows that corporate tax evasion rose sharply from Tk 96,503 crore in 2012 to Tk 133,673 crore in 2015, eventually reaching an estimated Tk 113,000 crore in 2023.

CPD Research Director Dr Khandaker Golam Moazzem criticised the tax system for being influenced by political and vested interests. 

“Tax policy in Bangladesh is shaped by pressure groups ahead of every budget,” he said, adding that this undermines effective revenue collection and economic progress.

Ahmed said that while corporate tax in Bangladesh stands at around 6% of GDP, the average in developed countries is 15%. He called for a reduction in corporate tax rates—from 31–33% to 23%—combined with stronger enforcement and penalties for non-filing companies.

Currently, only 9% of the 2,88,000 registered companies file tax returns, according to the CPD. It recommended that non-filing be treated as a punishable offence, akin to the disconnection of utility services for non-payment.

The report also cited widespread corruption as a major barrier to reform. A survey found that 45% of companies had to pay bribes when filing taxes.

Christian Aid Country Director Nusrat Jabin also addressed the event, calling for urgent reforms to improve transparency and expand the tax net.