An Analysis of New VAT Law in Bangladesh: Changes & Challenges

Abstract

With the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), taxation has once again taken up a central spot on the international development agenda. Value Added Tax (VAT) makes up most of the revenue from taxes in Bangladesh who was one of the first two South Asian countries to adopt VAT. Although the introduction of VAT in Bangladesh has proved to be comparatively successful in terms of increasing tax revenues, the effectiveness of the tax has been seriously eroded due to a number of deviations from the standard principles of VAT which have crept into the tax system in the last three spans. Hence the new “The VAT and Supplementary Duty Act, 2012” emerges with vast hope and prospect and also with challenges of implementation. This study aims to review the basic structure of VAT system under the new law and the major changes thereon through a qualitative approach based on document analysis. Findings reveal the nonconformity with the objectives of the law and suggest the deviations back on track with a boost in tax administration and a political influence free environment in Bangladesh context.