Taxing e-journal subscription is illogical
We are quite befuddled to learn that an advance income tax (AIT) is being imposed on subscriptions to international electronic journals (or e-journals). This will also include payments of arears from previous years which may adversely affect research work in about 40 universities and research institutes, as subscription costs would also go up leading to their potential cancellation. At a time when we should be patronising a knowledge-based society, it is quite absurd that such a move that may curb our researchers' access to scientific knowledge is being thought of.
Reportedly, the non-profit Bangladesh Science Academy (BSA) gets discounted subscriptions – sometimes as much as 90 percent of discount – on behalf of the universities and institutes. Needless to say, one of the reasons for the low number of research and studies in our country is the high cost of access to international research material. Thus, the BSA's endeavour to get discounted subscriptions is invaluable for facilitating research work. Imposing an advance income tax would, therefore, be a major drawback for academic advancement. It may mean the end to access to about 10,000 e-journals. The Daily Star's report in this regard quotes a BSA official saying that the concerned authorities had said that they would need to pay an AIT of 20 percent along with the arrears of previous years. It may lead to cancellation of subscriptions, he added.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. 
The tax comes at the worst possible time when some local universities and institutes are already struggling to pay the existing subscription costs. Trying to get them to pay a tax then would be quite illogical. Also, with the dollar rate going up, the tax will make subscriptions even more costly even if they are discounted. According to the BSA, the total subscription fee for access to over 10,000 e-journals was $3.36 lakh, out of which $50,000 still has not been paid.
We are fortunate that since 2006, world renowned publishers and distributors such as Oxford Journals, Cambridge Journals and the Royal Society for Chemistry have given our researchers access to their content at heavily discounted rates thanks to a memorandum of understanding between the BSA and the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP). The goal behind this initiative was to spread knowledge on science and technology in the country, and to ensure that local scientists and researchers are updated on the latest developments in their fields of work. Any endeavour in terms of research and knowledge cannot be confused with taxable economic activities, yet this is what we are witnessing today.
Also, if there are tax exemptions on the import of printed books and journals, why can't the same be extended to e-journal subscriptions?
We urge the authorities to concede to the BSA's appeal to be exempted from an advance income tax, which may prevent our scholars and students from gaining essential knowledge or de-link them from the intellectual minds of the rest of the world. Wouldn't such a loss be devastating to our future as a nation?
Comments