The Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh (ICMAB) is advocating for the imposition of a Tk50 tax per guest at large social gatherings, including weddings, with over 100 attendees and hosted outside the home. This proposal was presented during a pre-budget session at the National Board of Revenue (NBR) headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, on Sunday.
Md Abdur Rahman Khan, a member of the ICMAB delegation and former president of the organization, urged the government to introduce a provision for a Tk50 advance tax per guest for booking venues like hotels, restaurants, or community centers for events exceeding 100 guests. These events encompass weddings, bridal showers, birthdays, wedding anniversaries, or any social gathering not related to business.
Abdur Rahman, who also serves as an additional secretary at the finance ministry, highlighted the cultural enthusiasm of Bangladeshis for festivals and the substantial expenses associated with such celebrations. He proposed that requiring pre-booking tax payments could establish a new revenue stream, especially from individuals without existing tax files.
NBR Chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem welcomed the suggestion and expressed a willingness to consider making proof of tax return submission mandatory. He proposed that for bookings exceeding Tk5-Tk10 lakh at community centers, verification of tax return submissions could become a prerequisite, ensuring compliance with tax obligations. This initiative aims to bring about financial transparency in extravagant social events while contributing to the country’s revenue generation efforts.
