The corporate tax rate will not be reduced in the upcoming fiscal year 2025-26 budget, said Md Abdur Rahman Khan, chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), today.

"The national debt burden has increased over the past 50 years, and those debts need to be repaid," he said.

"Therefore, there is no scope to reduce taxes in the corporate sector or other areas," he added.

"Rather, we want a non-discriminatory tax regime for all sectors."

He made the remarks while speaking at a pre-budget discussion organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) at InterContinental Dhaka.

Top business leaders attended the discussion, presided over by DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed.

During the event, NBR Chairman Khan said automation was previously halted, but now there is no alternative to it.

"The NBR is working towards implementing automation. Businesses also agree that automation is essential," he said.

"We are moving in that direction and have undertaken a large project focused on automation."

"Over the past few months, we have prioritised automation. For example, we have made income submission mandatory in many areas. From the next fiscal year, it will be fully mandatory for everyone as paper returns will no longer be accepted," he added.

"At present, corporate tax returns cannot be submitted online. But starting next year, firms will have to file tax returns online," he said.

"We are also working to integrate these services into a mobile app."

At the meeting, the DCCI recommended raising the income tax exemption limit to Tk 5 lakh, up from the current Tk 3.5 lakh.

The trade body also called for reducing the highest income tax rate for the top income slab from 30 percent to 25 percent.