Vat Act-1991 (English Version)

THE VALUE ADDED TAX ACT, 1991
[Act No. 22 of 1991]

(Dhaka 10th July, 1991)
[Updated upto August, 2010]

(The following Act adopted by the parliament has obtained Presidential consent on 10th July,
1991 and has been published in the Extraordinary Issue of Bangladesh Gazzettee on the same
day)
An Act to make provisions for imposition of value added tax on goods and services.
WHEREAS it is expedient to make provisions for imposition of value added tax;
It is hereby enacted as follows:
1. Short Title and Commencement.(1) This Act may be called as Value Added Tax Act, 1991.
(2) In this Act(a)
sections 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 22 and 72 shall be deemed to have come into effect
from 2 June, 1991 corresponding to 18 Jaistha, 1398 (BS); and
(b)
except the sections mentioned above, all other sections shall come into effect from
1st July 1991 corresponding to 16 Ashar, 1398 (BS).
2. Definitions.- In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context (a)
exempted means goods and services exempt from payment of value added tax under
this Act;
(b)
output tax means value added tax imposed under this Act;
(c)
input means
(d)
(i)
except labour, land, building, office equipment and transport, all raw materials,
any gas, anything used as fuel, packaging materials, service, machinery and spare
parts;
(ii)
in the case of trading, goods imported, purchased, acquired or otherwise procured

in any way for sale, exchange or transfer in any other manner;
input tax means value added tax paid on inputs imported by registered person or
purchased by him from any other registered person;
(dd) Omitted.
(ddd) tax means value added tax or vale added tax and supplementary duty, as the case may
be, payable for supply of goods or services and shall include value added tax and
supplementary duty, import duty, excise duty and all other duties and taxes (except
advance income tax) payable for elements referred to in section 13.
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(e)
tax period means a period of one month or such period as the government by
notification in the official gazette fix in this behalf;
(f)
taxable goods means goods not included in the First Schedule;
(g)
taxable service means any service not included in the Second Schedule;
(h)
Commissioner means any Commissioner of Value Added Tax appointed under

section 20;
(i)
Current Account means an account maintained in prescribed form by a registered

person with the Commissioner in which all accounts of sale, purchase, treasury deposit,
value added tax payable and rebatable and where applicable, other taxes;
(j)
Challanpatra (Invoice) means Challans provided under section 32.
(jj) omitted.
(k)
Turn over means all money received or receivable by any person in a certain period
for the supply of taxable goods produced or manufactured by him or for rendering
taxable services by him;
(1)
Schedule means any Schedule annexed to this Act;
(m) Documents means anything expressed or stated with the help of a letter, number,
symbol or sign on paper or any other material, and shall include any kind of electronic
data, computer program, computer tape, computer disk or any kind of media that holds
or store any data;
(mm) omitted.
(n)
Return means a return required to be submitted under section 35 of this Act;
(o)
Specified Date means,
(i) in the case of payment of value added tax, or as the case may be, in the case of payment
of value added tax and supplementary duty, the time for payment under section 6; and
(ii) in case of submission of return, the times to submit value added tax return specified by
Rules;
(oo) Pon (consideration) means all money or value measurable in terms of money,
received or receivable against the supply of goods or rendering of services;
(p)
Goods means all kinds of movable property, excluding shares, stocks, coins,
securities and recoverable claims;
(q)
Producer or Manufacturer shall include any person engaged in any of the

following activities, namely:
(i)
transforming or reshaping of any substance by processing individually or in

combination with any other substance, material or components of production to
changing, transforming or reshaping it into a different specific substance or goods
so that it becomes useable differently or specifically;
(ii)
any incidental or related processes required to complete the production of goods;
(iii) printing, publication, lithography or engraving processes;
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(iv) assembling, mixing, cutting, liquidifying, bottling, packaging or repackaging;

(v)
the work of a trustee or liquidator, executor or superintendent in case of any

bankrupt manufacturer or producer and work of any such person who disposes of
the assets of such manufacturer or producer in his capacity as an entrusted person;
(vi) manufacturing or producing any goods for monetary consideration in his own
plant, machinery or equipment using raw material or inputs owned by the owner
of that goods;
(qq) Commercial importer means a person who imports goods, other than those specified
in the First Schedule, and sells or transfers it in any other person without changing its
shape, nature, characteristics or quality, in exchange of consideration;
(qqq) Commercial Documents means books of accounts, files, documents or papers
maintained by a person to record his commercial transaction showing financial
condition of his business, namely:- debit voucher, credit voucher, cash memo, daily
purchase and sale accounts, cash book, journal book, bank account and the documents
related thereto, trial balance, ledger, financial statements and notes on profit and loss
account, profit and loss appropriation account, bank reconciliation accounts, balance
sheet and audit report including all related documents;
(qqqq) Trader means a person who sells or otherwise transfer to any other person in
exchange of consideration any goods imported, purchased or otherwise acquired by him
without changing its shape, nature, characteristics or quality;
(qqqqq) Divisional Officer means Value Added Tax officer in charge of a Value Added
Tax Divisional Office or an officer not below the rank of assistant Commissioner
assigned to discharge any function of Divisional Office of the Large Taxpayers Unit of
value Added Tax.
(r)
Rule means any rule framed under this Act.
(rr)
omitted.
(rrr) Bill of Entry means a bill of entry as defined in section 2(c) of the Customs Act, 1969
(IV of 1969).
(rrrr) Bill of Export means a bill of export as defined in section 2(d) of the Customs Act,
1969 (IV of 1969);
(s)
Board means the National Board of Revenue constituted under the National Board of
Revenue Order, 1972 (P.O. No. 76 of 1972);
(ss) Large Taxpayers Unit or LTU means large taxpayer unit constituted under section
8D of this Act;
(t)
Person shall include any individual, incorporated or not, any company or society,
proprietorship firm, other firm, statutory or other organization or establishment or their
representatives as well will be included;
(u)
Value added Tax Officer means an Officer appointed under section 20 of this Act;
(v)
Zero-rated Taxable Goods or Services means goods or services exported or deemed

to have been exported or any food or any other material as mentioned in sub-section(2)
of section 3 on which no value added tax or, supplementary duty, as the case may be,
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shall be imposed and all other taxes and duties paid on the inputs of manufacturing or
producing of such goods (except Advance Income Tax and the supplementary duty paid
on such inputs, used for manufacturing or producing exported goods as may be
specified in this behalf by the Government by notification in the official Gazette) shall
be refunded;
(vv) omitted.
(w) Concerned Officer means any value added tax officer empowered by the Board, by
Board's notification in the official Gazette, to perform certain duties under this Act;
(x)
Total Receipts means the total amount of money received or receivable by any
taxable service provider in exchange of his service rendered including commission or
charges, excluding the value added tax;
(y)
Supply means sale, transfer, lease or disposal in any other manner, of goods
manufactured or produced by a manufacturer or producer or of goods imported,
purchased, acquired or otherwise procured by a trader in exchange of consideration and
shall include the following activities, namely:
(i)
use of goods acquired, produced or manufactured in the course of business for

private, business or any other purpose outside the business;
(ii)
auction or disposal of goods in order to repay the debt of any person;
(iii) to take under possession of any taxable goods by a person immediately before the
cancellation of his registration;
(iv) clearance or removal of goods from the place of manufacture or production;
(v) any other transactions specified by the Government by notification;
(z)
Local Value Added Tax Office means Office of Superintendent of Value Added
Tax, or any branch put under the discharge of Superintendent of LTU, Value Added
Tax or any other office specified by the Board by notification in the official Gazette;
and
(za) Special Judge means Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1958 (Act No. XL of 1958) Gi
Section-3 Gi Sub-Section-(1) Gi Aaxb wbhy Special Judge;
(zb) Export means supply of goods or services fro within Bangladesh to outside territorial
sea of Bangladesh
(zc) deemed to have been exported will include following goods or services, viz:(i)
those which are not desirable for consumption or use inside Bangladesh and
which are exportable in exchange of foreign currency as raw materials in
production, management, transportation, or in marketing and this include water,
electricity, gas, telephone or any other service which are exportable as raw
materials in exchange of foreign currency.
(ii)
Goods supplied or services rendered inside Bangladesh in exchange of foreign

currency in accordance with provisions laid down in Rules, with specific
condition of non-imposition of tax under any international treaty or
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
3. Imposition of Value Added Tax.-
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(1)
Value added tax shall be imposed and payable, at the rate of 15% on the base values
mentioned in section 5, on all goods imported into Bangladesh, except the goods listed
in the First Schedule of this Act, and on the supply of all goods not listed in the said
Schedule and on all services rendered in Bangladesh, except those services specified in
the Second Schedule of this Act.
(2)
Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (I), zero rated tax shall be imposed
on the following goods or services, namely:
(a)
any goods or services exported or deemed to have been exported from

Bangladesh;
(aa) omitted.
(b)
food and other things supplied to any foreign going transport for consumption
outside Bangladesh in accordance with section 24 of the Customs Act, 1969 (V of
1969) hereinafter referred to as the Customs Act:
Provided that, this sub-section shall not be applicable to the following goods, namely:
(3)
(a)
any goods re-imported or intended to be re-imported into Bangladesh;
(b)
such goods as have been presented for export in accordance with section 131 of
the Customs Act but have not been exported within thirty days of submission of
the bill of export or within the extended time, if any, allowed by the
Commissioner in this behalf.
Value added tax shall be payable by

(a)
in case of imported goods, the importer at the point of import;
(b)
in case of goods manufactured or produced in Bangladesh, the supplier at the

point of production or manufacturing;
(c)
in case of service, the provider/renderer of service; and
(d)
service receiver, when service is rendered from outside the geographical area of
Bangladesh;
(e)
in other cases, the supplier.
(4)
In case of classification of any goods imported or supplied, for the purpose of levy and
payment of value added tax under this section, the classification made under Customs
Act shall be applicable to the said goods.
(5)
For the purposes of this section, the Board may, in the public interest, by notification in
the official Gazette;
(a)
declare any taxable goods or class of goods as taxable service and any taxable
service as taxable goods, and
(b)
Provide clarification for the purpose of determining the extent of any taxable
service.
4. Application of tax rate.(1)
In case of a supply of taxable goods or rendering taxable services, the rate of value
added tax shall be the existing rate of value added tax applicable to such goods or
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service at that time specified in sub-section (2) or, where applicable, sub-section (3) of
section 6.
(2)
In case of importation of taxable goods the rate of value added tax shall be the rate
applicable on the date determined under section 30 of the Customs Act 1969 (IV of
1969).
(3)
In case of import of service, the rate of VAT effective during making payment of the
service will be applicable.
5. Ascertaining value for determination of Value Added Tax.(1)
In case of importation of goods, the amount on which the value added tax shall be
payable shall be ascertained by adding the amount of Import Duty, supplementary duty
and all other duties and taxes, (if any), except the Advance Income Tax payable, to the
assessable value determined under sections 25 or 25A of the Customs Act.
(2)
Subject to the provisions of sub-section (3) in case of supply of goods, the value on
which value added tax shall be payable, shall be the consideration of the goods
receivable by the manufacturer or producer or trader from his buyer, which shall
include the value of purchase, inputs, all costs of the manufacturer of producer or of the
trader and, where applicable paid commission, charge, fee and all other duties and taxes
including Supplementary duty (except value added tax) and profit: (Condition: omitted,
2010)
Provided that, in the case of supply of certain goods or class of goods by a trader, the
Board may, by notification in the official Gazette, for the purpose of determining the
base of value added tax fix the rate and quantum of the value added tax of that goods or
the class of goods.
(2a) In respect of contract based production of brand named goods of any registered
manufacturer by any other registered producer, the Board may, by rule, set the
procedure of determining value of that goods.
(2b) A producer or importer may, if he intends to supply goods at uniform value printed on
the body or container or packet of the goods, supply the goods, subject to the prior
approval of the Board and on payment of the entire tax, in the case of producer at the
production stage and in the case of importer at the stage of supply, in accordance with
the procedure set by Rule.
(2c) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (2) the Government may, with a
view to keeping the price of any goods or services static, determine the unique value
through any of its department or agency and in case of such determination the value
added tax or supplementary duty shall be payable by back calculation on such value.
(3)
The Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, select the goods on which
value added tax shall be imposed on the retail price basis and for the purpose of
imposing value added tax, the retail price of such goods shall be the price determined
by its manufacturer or producer with the approval of the concerned Officer, on which
all costs, commission, charges duties and taxes shall be included, and such goods shall
be sold to the general consumers at that price (which shall be printed on the body of the
goods or on every packages, sachets or cells distinctly, conspicuously and indelibly)
after putting special brand or mark on the body of that goods.
(4)
In the case of providing service value added tax shall be imposed on the total receipts:
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Provided that, in respect of any specific service, the Board may, by order, determine the
value added tax on the basis of actual Value Addition or determine the value added tax
based on specific rate of value addition by notification in the official Gazette.
Provided further that even if the service renderer renders services free of cost, the
Government may impose minimum value added tax by gazette notification.
(4a) In case of supply of goods by a registered or a register able trader, value added tax may
be imposed on the basis of total value received or deemed to have been received as
determined in accordance with the procedure set by Rule, against his supply in any
particular tax period.
(5)
In the case Goods on which trade discount is allowed, value added tax shall be charged
on the supplied value of the goods after deduction of trade discount:
Provided that, the value on which goods are supplied after deduction of trade discount
shall be shown in the invoice and the amount of trade discount allowed shall be
consistent with the normal trade practice.
(6)
omitted.
(7)
Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, if the Board, in consideration of

public interest and after appropriate investigation, is satisfied that, it is expedient in the
case of any taxable goods or service to fix its Tariff Value for the purpose of
determining value added tax or, as the case may be, value added tax and supplementary
duty, the Board may, by order published in the official Gazette, fix the Tariff Value of
such goods or services.
6. Time and method of payment.(1)
Value added tax on imported goods shall be paid at the same time and in the same
manner as import duty is paid in accordance with the provisions of the Customs Act and
the rules made thereunder, as if it were an import duty under that Act, and in order to
control any matter related to the value added tax or as the case may be, supplementary
duty, the said Act, and the rules orders or instructions made or issued thereunder shall,
subject to the rules, orders or instructions if any, made or issued under this Act, apply,
so far as practicable, to value added tax or, as the case may be, supplementary duty in
the manner they apply to import duty.
(2)
Value added tax on goods manufactured or produced for carrying out or for expansion
of business or on goods imported, purchased, acquired or procured in any manner by a
registered or registerable person shall be payable at the time of any of the following
activities, whichever occurs first, namely:
(3)
(a)
when the goods are delivered or supplied;
(b)
when an invoice relating to supply of goods is issued;
(c)
when goods are used for personal purpose or supplied for the use of others;
(d)
when payment is received either in full or in part.
Value added tax shall be payable when a taxable service is rendered by a registered or
registerable person during the operation or expansion of his business at the time of any
of the following activities, whichever occurs first, namely:
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(4)
(a)
When the service is rendered;
(b)
when a chalanpatra (invoice) to the service is issued;
(c)
when part or full payment is received.
(d)
In case the service is received from beyond the geographical boundary of

Bangladesh, when payment is made in part or in full;
Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, the Board may, in accordance with
the procedures set by Rules, make provisions for advance payment, including fixation
of the time and procedure for payment, of value added tax, or, as the case may be,
supplementary duty, on any goods or class of goods or services.
(4a) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (4), the Board may in order to
collect value added tax or, as the case may be, value added tax and supplementary duty
applicable to any goods or class of goods, direct, by notification in the official Gazette,
with effect from the date specified in the notification, on the body of the package or
container or holder of the goods to affix stamp or banderol or special sign or mark of
particular size and design manifesting measures of security with demonstrating specific
value and determine all procedures relating to the use, distribution, preservation,
supervision, observation, accounting and packaging of such stamp or banderol or
special sign or mark:
Explanation: In this sub-section, `stamp' or 'banderol' shall mean security instrument
containing specific colour, design, measurement with security measure as specified by
the Board.
(4aa) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, value added tax payable by any
service rendering person selected in this behalf by the Government, by notification in
the official Gazette, from time to time, shall be collected or deducted at source, in the
procedure specified by Board's order, at the time when the person receiving this service
or, as the case may be, the person making payment of the value of the service or
commission makes such payment and shall be deposited in the Government treasury:
Provided that in a case where, the value added tax payable by any service provider
under any foreign aided project, has been collected or deducted and deposited to
Government treasury- at the time of payment of service value or commission by a
person receiving service or, as the case may be, the person paying the service value or
commission and if that service provider appoints any sub-contractor, agent or any other
service rendering person, in such case value added tax shall not be collected at source
again from such sub-contractor, agent or any other service rendering person appointed
by the main service provider, subject to production or submission of documentary
evidence of collection or deduction of value added tax and the deposit of the same in
the Government treasury.
(4b) The person collecting or deducting value added tax at source in accordance with subsection (4aa) shall issue, in respect of such realization or deduction, a certificate to the
person who renders the service, in accordance with the procedure set by the Board's
order in this behalf, which shall include the following information, namely:
(a)
registration number of the value added tax payer;
(b)
total value or commission paid for the service provided;
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(c)
amount of value or commission on which value added tax is assessed;
(d)
amount of value added tax collected or deducted;
(e)
any other information required under the rules.
(4c) None but a registered person can take part in a tender and work order can not be issued
in favor of an unregistered person.
(4d) At source VAT deducting authority will deduct 3% of the value payable to the goods or
service provider during making payment.
Provided that, when service is received on the basis of actual value addition as per SubSection-4 of Section-5, total payable VAT on that basis has to be deducted at source.
(4e) Both at source VAT deducting authority and goods or service provider together will
remain responsible for the amount of VAT deducted at source.
(4f) When VAT payable is paid at source partially by the supplier of goods or services
against any supply, the will not be absolved to pay the rest amount of VAT.
(5)
Tax has to be paid in the following cases, as per the provisions of the Rules, viz:
(a)
at import stage, with import duty;
(b)
at production stage and trading stage, through Current Account and return; and
(c)
In case of supply of goods or services in other way, through return.
7. Imposition of supplementary duty(1)
Luxury goods non-essential and socially undesirable goods and the other goods and
services upon which imposition of supplementary duty is justified in the public interest,
as specified in the Third Schedule, supplementary duty at the rate specified in the said
schedule shall be imposed on such goods and services supplied, imported or provided in
Bangladesh.
(2)
For the purpose of imposition of supplementary duty, the value of the goods or services
shall be
(3)
(a)
in case of imported goods, the value as determined under section 25 or section

24A of the Customs Act, for the purpose of imposition of import duty;
(b)
in case of goods produced or manufactured in Bangladesh and in case of other

taxable goods, the consideration charged to the buyer, in which value added tax or
supplementary duty is not included;
(c)
in case of service provided in Bangladesh, the total receipts on account of service

excluding value added tax and supplementary duty;
(d)
in case of goods on which value added tax is charged on the basis of the retail
price, the retail price stated in section 5(3) of this Act, shall b considered as the
value of the goods for the purpose of imposition of supplementary duty.
Time and mode of payment of supplementary duty shall be the same as applicable to
value added tax.
8. Turnover Tax.-
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(1)
Any producer or manufacturer or trader of taxable goods or provider of taxable service,

who is not required to be registered under section 15, shall pay Turnover Tax at the rate
of 4% of his annual turnover.
(2)
Determination of maximum amount of turnover upto which Turnover Tax shall be

payable, enlistment of Turnover Taxpayers, assessment of payable Turnover Tax and
procedure of payment, appeal against assessment, offences and penalties, seizure of
goods, adjudication, confiscation and levy of fine and appeals related thereto, power of
concerned officers, keeping accounts, collection of short paid or arrear tax, refund of
erroneously paid or excess paid tax, and other related matters shall be governed by
Rules.
(3)
The Board may, after consideration of the importance of the public interest and after
proper investigation, by order published in the official Gazette, exempt any goods or
service from Turnover Tax, subject to such limits and conditions as may be specified in
the Order.
(4)
The Board may, after consideration of the importance of the public interest and after
proper investigation, by Order, published in the official Gazette, direct to any specific
goods, class of goods or service provider to register under section 15 and to pay value
added tax, irrespective of annual turnover.
(8a), (8b), (8c) Omitted.

8D. Formation of Large Taxpayers Unit- The Board may, for the purpose of collection of
value added tax and supplementary duty and excise duty from the taxpayers of any
specified limit or class and supervision thereof, constitute, by notification in the official
Gazette, in the whole of the country or in any specified area, required number of Large
Taxpayers Units or LTU consisting of such class of taxpayers.
9. Rebate on taxes(1)
Suppliers or traders of taxable goods or providers of taxable service are entitled to

receive rebate on input taxes in each tax period against out put tax payable on goods
supplied or service rendered by him, except in the following cases, namely:
(a)
Value added tax paid on inputs used in the production of exempted goods;
(b)
Turnover Tax paid inputs procured from a Turnover Taxpayer;
(c)
supplementary duty, paid on inputs, used in the production of goods or rendering

of service;
(d)
Value added tax paid on reusable package at any other time except for the first
time;
(e)
the value added tax, paid on such goods and services as are related to the
construction, balancing, modernization, replacement, expansion, renovation and
repair of any building or structure or establishment, purchase and repair of all
kinds of furniture, stationary, air conditioner, fan, lighting equipment, generator
etc. architectural plan and design, though directly related to production of taxable
goods or service;
(f)
various goods and services related to production or supply of taxable goods or

rendering of taxable service, the value added tax paid in excess of the rate of value
added tax on such goods and services set by Rules;
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(g)
Value added tax paid against expenditure on travel, entertainment, staff welfare
and development activities;
(gg) in the case of
(h)
(i)
value added tax paid on the inputs which are not included in the taxable
value base of goods mentioned in sub section (2) of section 5;
(ii)
input tax paid on inputs purchased by traders who are mentioned in the
second proviso of subsection (2) of section 5;
the value added tax paid on inputs purchased by the specified service provider as
per proviso of subsection (4) of section 5;
(hh) Input tax paid on inputs purchased by the trader mentioned in sub-section (4a) of
Section 5;
(i)
value added tax paid on inputs purchased by a supplier of goods or service

provider at Tariff Value fixed as per provision of sub-section (7) of section 5;
(j)
input tax mentioned in invoice or in Bill of Entry with a registration number of

other than the registration number of the concern supplier or trader or renderer of
service;
(k)
value added tax paid on the goods under the custody or possession or occupancy
of other person;
(l)
VAT paid on inputs that have not been entered into the Purchase Register
prescribed by Rules;
(m) in case of inputs released furnishing Bank Guarantee, VAT involved with Bank
Guarantee portion, until, the causes for which Bank Guarantee was furnished have
not been finally settled; and
(n)
in case the purchase price of the inputs of goods or service stands BDT one lakh
or exceeds this limit and if part or full payment of the same is made without
banking or electronic medium, in that case the input tax paid on that purchase.
Provided that if the taxpayer, in spite of having the related documents of inputs in his
possession, fails, for any reasonable ground, to enter the entire inputs in the same tax
period, into his premise of production, delivery or service rendering, he may, subject to
completion of entry of such inputs into his premise, receive rebate on such inputs on
any date during the next two tax periods.
(la) In the case of capital machinery, rebate on inputs tax shall be taken according to the
procedure set by Rules.
(2)
Notwithstanding anything contained in section 37, where any person without having
legal right to take inputs tax rebate in the cases mentioned in sub section (1), takes such
rebate, the concerned Officer may, direct for necessary adjustment in the Current
Account by or in the return canceling the rebate taken.
(2a) Notwithstanding anything contained in other provisions of this Act, any person
aggrieved by the order passed by the concerned Officer under sub-section (2), may
submit a written complaint against the said order to any higher VAT Officer of value
added tax senior to the concerned Officer; within fifteen days from the date of such
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order.
(2b) The said higher Officer shall, after giving to the complainant, a reasonable opportunity
of being heard within 15 (fifteen) working days from the date of filing the written
complaint, under sub-section (2a), dispose it of and any order of the said senior higher
Officer, in this regard, shall be final.
(3)
The supplier of taxable goods or provider of taxable service, who also supplies non
value added taxable goods or renders non value added taxable service, may take rebate
of input tax against output tax in proportion to the quantity of inputs used in the
manufacture of production of the taxable goods or taxable service of the total quantity
of inputs as per procedure set by Rules.
(4)
If tax paid input is damaged or destroyed while preserved or stored at the place of
production or place of rendering service or trading by the supplier of taxable goods or
provider of taxable service or trader, the input tax on the said destroyed or damaged
goods shall be disposed of in the manner set by Rules.
10. Rectification of Accounts after payment of output tax.- Where, after an invoice has
been provided for a supply of taxable goods by a registered person, the sale of goods is
cancelled and the goods are received back, such person may adjust the value added tax
or, where applicable, value added tax and supplementary duty paid on the goods so
taken back in the Current Account against the output tax due in the subsequent supply.
11. Disposal of excess Input Tax.- When tax paid on input eligible to rebate is in excess of
output tax payable in a tax period, the registered person shall be given credit in the next
tax period in the current account for the excess amount which would be treated as input
tax of the following period.
12. Rebate on input in stock at the time of commencement of the Act.- Any registered
person having, on the date of commencement of this Act, any stock of inputs, purchased
by him, before such commencement, of payable excise duty under the Excises and. Salt
Act. 1944 (1 of 1944) or sales tax under the Sales Tax Ordinance, 1982 (XVIII of 1982)
or at any time after the commencement of this Act, value added tax paid inputs, used for
the production or manufacture of any goods subject to newly imposable value added
tax, may, with the approval of the concerned officer, take rebate of input tax against
payable output tax for such inputs purchased during the period at the rate and in
accordance with the procedure set by Rules.
13. Drawback of the taxes laid on inputs used for production or manufacture of
exported goods.- (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the provisions of Chapter
VI of the Customs Act, 1969 (IV of 1969), any person under the provisions of this
section, shall have the right to drawback the value added tax, supplementary duty,
Import Duty, Excise Duty, and all other duties and taxes (except adice income tax and
the supplementary duty imposed on any specific inputs used in the production or
manufacture of exported goods specified by the Government in this behalf by
notification in the officials Gazette) paid on the inputs used in the manufacture or
production of exported goods or services or in the goods or services deemed to have
been exported or any food stuff or any other consumable item, mentioned in sub-section
(2) of section 3.
Provided that, if drawback is not claimed within six months from the date of export or
deemed export of any exported goods or services and where goods are exported in
Page 12 of 39
partial shipment basis as per terms of confirmed and irrevocable export letter of credit
or domestic back to back letter of credit or local or international tender, from the date of
the last consignment, drawback shall not be payable under this section.
Explanation: In this sub-section, `date of export' shall mean the date on which the
owner of the exported goods or services presents the bill of export for the said goods or
services to the concerned Officer under section 131 of the Customs Act.
(1a) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the Government by notification
in the official Gazette may, fix the rate of drawback of value added tax and, where
applicable, other duties and taxes paid on specific input, used in the production or
manufacture of exported goods or service or in goods service deemed to have been
exported.
(2)
Any exporter can adjust all the taxes and duties eligible to draw back under sub-section
(1) paid on input used in the export or deemed to be export of goods or service or used
in foodstuff or other commodities stated in sub-section (2) of section 3 against output
tax payable on any goods supplied or any service provided in Bangladesh.
(3)
The Board may, by Order published in the official Gazette, direct to pay drawback to
any exporter all the duties and taxes specified in sub-section (1) to the extent that, those
have been paid on inputs used in exported goods consignment wise on actual
exportation or, where applicable, at the flat rate fixed by the Board on the basis of input
output co-efficient.
(4)
The Board may, by Order published in the official Gazette, direct to pay 'drawback,
subject to any condition specified in the Order, of value added tax or, where applicable,
value added tax and supplementary duty paid by any person or organization on any
goods produced locally or service provided locally to implement any International
Agreement.
14. Exemption.(1)
The Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, exempt importation or

supply of any goods or class of goods or rendering of any service from value added tax
or, where applicable, supplementary duty chargeable under this Act, subject to any
limitation or condition specified in the notification.
(1a) The Board, may, by special Order, exempt importation or taking delivery of any goods
and receiving of any service for implementation, of any international or bilateral
agreement on reciprocal basis, froth value added tax or, where applicable,
supplementary duty chargeable under this Act, subject to any limitation and condition
specified in the Order.
(2) The Board may, by special Order, exempt specifying therein the reason in each case,
import or supply of any taxable goods or rendering of any taxable service from value
added tax or, where applicable, supplementary duty chargeable under this Act.
15. Registration.(1)
A supplier of taxable goods or provider of taxable service or an importer or an exporter

of any goods or exporter of services shall have to be registered with the concerned
Officer in accordance with the procedure prescribed by Rules.
(2)
If any person supplies such goods or provider such service or carries on import-export
Page 13 of 39
trade from two or more places, he shall have to be registered separately for each place:
Provided that where such supply of goods, except at production stage, or such rendering
of service or import or export business is conducted centrally and the accounts and
records thereof are maintained accordingly, the Board may, by general or special order,
direct only the head office of such supply of goods; except at production stage, or
rendering of service or, where applicable, import or export business to be registered.
(3)
If the concerned officer is satisfied that the application for registration is in order in all
respects he shall register the applicant and shall give him a Registration Certificate
mentioning therein, his Business Identification Number.
(3a) Notwithstanding anything contained in order provisions of this section, the period of
validity of registration certificate given under sub-section (3) may, in the case of any
specified class of supplier or importers of taxable goods or provider of taxable service,
be determined by rules, and such registration certificate may be renewed after the
expiry of such period in accordance with the terms and procedure specified in the Rule.
(4)
If a person required to register does not apply and when the concerned officer shall
register is satisfied upon proper inquiry about the person's obligation for registration
under this Act, he will then register the person and inform him accordingly and the
registration shall be treated as registered with effect from the date on which the
registration becomes obligatory.
(5)
Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), (2), (3) and (4), every registered
person may be provided with an unified registration number of value added tax and
income Tax. Provided that the Board may, fix the time and procedure of providing such
unified registration number by notification in the official Gazette.
16. Exemption from registration.(1)
The Government may, by general or special order, exempt any person or class of
persons from the requirement of registration under section 15, on the basis of the annual
turnover of taxable goods, supplies or services.
Provided that the exemption under this section shall be applicable only in the case of a
person or class of person whose amount of annual turnover as received does not exceed
the amount fixed, from to time by Government by notification.
(2)
The Board may, by general or special order, exempt any class of importers or exporters
from the requirement of registration.
17. Voluntary registration.(1)
A person who is exempted from registration under section 16 may apply in the from
and manner set by Rules, to the proper Officer for voluntary registration, as a supplier
of taxable services and the proper Officer shall, if he is satisfied that application is in
order in all respects, register the applicant and shall issue him a Registration Certificate
mentioning therein his Business Identification Number.
(2)
Without prejudice to the contrary anything contained in this Act, any seller, and
transferor or lesser of any goods, manufactured, produced or imported into Bangladesh
or a provider of service specified in the Second Schedule, who is a person outside the
scope of section 15 and sub-section (1) may, if he desires, apply, in the form and
manner set by Rules, to the concerned Officer for voluntary registration as a supplier of
Page 14 of 39
taxable service and, the concerned Officer shall, if he is satisfied that the application is
in order in all respects, register the applicant and give him a Registration Certificate
mentioning therein his Business Identification Number and the person so registered
shall be treated as a taxpayer under this Act and all provisions relating to tax assessment
and payment under this Act shall be applicable to him.
18. Change of particulars relating to registration.- If a registered person intends to
change the name, address or any other information stated in the application for
registration, he shall inform the concerned Officer at least 14 days before of the date of
such charge.
19. Cancellation of registration.(1)
A registered person ceasing to supply of taxable goods or providing of taxable services

or import-export of any goods or export any goods or services shall inform the
concerned Officer within 14 days of such cessation and, if the concerned Officer is
satisfied that the person has no unsettled liability to pay value added tax or,
supplementary duty, as the case may be, he shall, on a date fixed by him, cancel the
registration of such person in accordance with the procedures set by Rules .
Provided that in the light of proviso to Sub-section (2) of section 15 if the registration is
given by a Divisional Officer by order of the Board, the concerned Commissioner shall,
before cancellation of registration, send i report with recommendation for cancellation
of registration along with all information to the Board and the Board, having heard the
concerned organization decided for cancellation, the concerned officer shall take steps
for cancellation for registration.
(1a) If the concerned Officer is satisfied on investigation that the registered person has
obtained the registration by furnishing untrue information, he may, after giving him
reasonable opportunity of being heard, cancel the registration of the person upon
settlement of his liability if any, relating to value added tax and, as the case may be,
supplementary duty.
(2)
If the annual turnover of a registered person becomes less than the amount fixed by the
Government under section 16 and the concerned officer is satisfied that the person is no
longer required to remain registered under section 15, the concerned officer may, on the
date fixed by him, cancel his registration in accordance with the procedure set by Rule.
(3)
If the registration of a person is cancelled and if there is any tax or duty drawback or
any other balance in the Current Account is due to him on the date of such cancellation,
he shall be entitled to get refund of such balance or other balance as per the procedure
set by rules, but the condition of claiming refund within six months as contained in the
proviso to sub-section (1) of section 67 shall not apply in this case.
(4)
Following cancellation of registration or enlistment under this Section, if the concerned

officer is convinced that there lies any arrear to that person; then arrear and other
payables will be realized from that person in the manner that he is a registered or
enlisted person under this Act.
20. Appointment of value added tax officers.- (1) For the execution of this Act and the
rules made there under the Board may, by notification in the official Gazette appoint, in
relation to any area mentioned in the notification, any person to be
(a)
a Commissioner, VAT;
Page 15 of 39
(b)
a Commissioner, (Appeal),VAT; (c) a Commissioner, LTU, VAT;
(cc) a Director General, Central Intelligence Cell;

(d)
a Director General, Audit Intelligence and Investigation, (VAT);
(e)
a Director General, Duty Exemption and Drawback Office, (VAT);
(f)
an Additional Commissioner or Additional Director General, (VAT);
(g)
a Joint Commissioner or Director, (VAT);
(h)
a Duty Commissioner or Deputy Director, (VAT); (i) an Assistant Commissioner

or Assistant Director, (VAT);
(j)
a Superintendent, (VAT);
(k)
an Inspector, (VAT); or
(1)
a VAT officer with any other designation.
(2) Value Added Tax Officers appointed under Sub-Section (1) will be called as Value
Added Tax Authorities.
21. Power.(1)
A VAT Officer appointed under section 20 shall exercise the powers conferred upon
him by or under this Act and shall discharge the duties assigned to him and he shall also
be competent to exercise all powers conferred upon and discharge all duties assigned to
any officer subordinate to him:
Provided that, notwithstanding anything cantoned in this Act or the Rules made
thereunder, the Board may, by general or special Order, impose such limitation and
conditions on the exercise of such powers and discharge of such duties as it deems fit.
(2)
The value added tax Officer shall perform all functions relating to determination of
amount of value added tax, supplementary duty, and Turnover Tax and collection
thereof and other functions relating thereto.
22. Delegation of power.(1)
The Board may, by notification in the official Gazette and subject to such limitations or
conditions, if any, as may be specified therein, empower by name and designation,
(a)
any Additional Commissioner or Addition Director General, value added tax

under of a Commissioner, Commissioner (Appeal) r Director General VAT under
this Act or the Rules;
(b)
any Joint Commissioner or Director, VAT to exercise the powers of an Additional

Commissioner or Additional Director General, VAT or Commissioner,
Commissioner (Appeal) or Director General, VAT under this Act or the Rules;
(c)
any Deputy Commissioner, or Deputy Director, VAT to exercise the powers of a

Joint Commissioner or Director, VAT or Additional Commissioner or Additional
Director General, VAT under this Act or the Rules;
(d)
any Assistant Commissioner or Assistant Director, VAT to exercise the powers of
Page 16 of 39
a Deputy Commissioner or Deputy Director, VAT under this Act or the Rules;
(e)
(2)
any other VAT Officer to exercise the powers of an Assistant Commissioner or

Assistant Director VAT under this Act or the Rules.
Commissioner or Director General may, if the Board does not direct otherwise
authorize any of his subordinate officers to exercise any of the power of a
Commissioner or a Director General under this Act or the Rules or of any other officer
under this Act, in the whole or any specified area of his jurisdiction.
23. Entrustment of responsibilities of VAT Officers to any other Government Officer.The Board may, by notification in the official Gazette, confer, subject to condition or
without any conditions duty of any value added tax officer under this Act, upon any
other Government Officer.
24. Assistance to value added tax officer.(1)
Powers are conferred in and duties are assigned to all members of the police,
Bangladesh Rifles, Bangladesh Coast Guards and Ansars and the authorities of Union
Parishad, Upazila Parishad. Municipalities, Zila Parishad, City Corporations and any
Government Officer including all Officers controlling and directing activities relating to
Excise, Customs, Income Tax and Narcotics and all officers of Bank to assist value
added tax Officers to discharge their duties under this Act.
(2)
Any member, authority or Officer mentioned in subsection (1) may request any other
person to assist him in exercising the powers or performing duties under the said subsection and the person so requested shall be bound to give him necessary assistance.
24A. Assistance extended by value added tax Officer.- The value added tax officers shall
supply all necessary information relating to value added tax to the authority enforcing
and implementing the Customs Act, 1969 (IV of 1969), Gift Tax Act, 1963 (XIV of
1963) or Gift Tax Act, 1990 (XXII of 1990) Wealth Tax Act, 1963 (XV of 1963) and
Income Tax Ordinance, 1084 (XXXVI of 1984) for fulfillment of the purposes of the
said laws.
25. Power to issue summon.(1)
Any value added tax officer, not below the rank of a Superintendent, may issue
summon, stating the reason in writing of such summon, to a person whose 'presence is
considered by him to be necessary to give evidence or to-submit documents or any
other thing in connection with any investigation conducted by him under this Act.
(2)
Any person summoned under sub-section (1), shall be compelled to appear personally
or through duly authorized representative as per direction of the said Officer:
Provide that any person, exempted, under sections 132 and 133 of Civil Procedure
Code, 1908(Act V of 1908) from appearance in person before a court of law, shall not
be summoned to appear personally.
(3)
Any investigation conducted by a value added tax officer shall be deemed to be judicial
proceedings under sections 193 and 228 of the Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860).
26. Right of authorized officers to enter into the premises of production, place of
rendering of service, place of trading and place of residence and to inspect stock of
goods, services and inputs and to examine accounts and records:-
Page 17 of 39
(1)
Subject to the provision of sub section (2), any value added tax officer not below the
rank of an Assistant Commissioner or any value added tax Officer empowered by him
in this behalf
(a)
shall have the right to enter into a place of production supply rendering of service
or trading or other related houses or premises belonging to a registered or
registerable person;
(b)
may inspect production process and goods in stock, services and inputs and
examine related accounts of a registered or registerable person; and
(c)
may at any time, examine all trading documents including books, files and
commercial documents related to value added tax of any registered or registerable
person, direct to submit or detain them, or to do any other thing necessary for this
purpose.
(2)
If the place mentioned in sub-section (1) is a residential place, the said officer shall not
enter into such place without serving proper notice or the owner or the person in charge
or the caretaker thereof; but such notice shall not be required for an officer authorized
under section 48A.
(3)
If an officer duly authorized for the purpose of performing duty under this Act enters
into a place mentioned in sub-section (1) the owner, the caretaker or the person in
charge of the place shall extend all reasonable cooperation including supply of
necessary information, document or sample as per requirement of the officer.
(4)
If, after receipt of information, document or samples under this section, it is found that
the concerned registered or registerable person has evaded revenue or has made any
irregularity, the authorized officer shall take appropriate action under this Act within a
reasonable time.
(5)
Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the Superintendent of local

value added tax Officer may, within the area of his jurisdiction, inspect the place of
production or supply or rendering of service or trading belonging to a registered or
registerable person and can examine the stock of goods, service, inputs and accounts.
(6)
For the purpose of this section, firms enlisted or required to be enlisted under Turnover
Tax and firms enjoying or demanding privileges of Cottage Industry shall also be
deemed as registered or registerable person.
26A. Issuance of order to audit by empowered officer and appointment of auditor by

Board.(1)
A value added tax officer, not below the rank of Joint Commissioner, may order to
audit the tax and tax related activities of a registered or registerable firms for a
particular period of time and the officer or officers being ordered in this behalf shall,
complete the audit on the basis of the Order issued by Board and Audit Manual and also
following the provisions of this Act and the Rules made thereunder, within the specified
time and, submit report to the Officer who ordered for such audit.
(2)
After receipt of the audit report under sub-section (1), the ordering Officer shall, after
proper examination the evasion of revenue and irregularity detected by the audit and if
the firm audited raises any legal objection, settle it and shall, send the report to the
concerned Adjudication Officer to take legal steps about the reported evasion and
irregularities.
Page 18 of 39
(3)
Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the Board may, by order, fixing
reasonable remuneration and determining terms and conditions, appoint auditor to
inspect stock of goods and to examine books of accounts of a registered or registerable
person, and the auditor so appointed shall be deemed to be a value added tax officer for
the purposes of this section.
(4)
To fulfill the purposes of this section, a firm enlisted or required to be enlisted under
Turnover Tax and a firm enjoying or claiming benefit of Cottage Industry shall also be
deemed to be a registered or registerable person.
26B. provisions relating to supervised supply, observation and surveillance.(1)
To fulfill the purposes of sub-section (4a) of section 6 of this Act the Commissioner
may appoint one or more value added tax officer and give them necessary directives for
ensuring supervised supply, observation and surveillance in the place of production,
supply, providing of service or trading of a registered person.
(2)
If the Commissioner has sufficient reason to believe that a supplier of taxable goods or
provider of taxable service does not record correctly the accounts of receivable value
and tax against supply of goods on providing of services in the books and commercial
documents relating to value added tax or does not declare correctly in the returns, or
does not issue invoice against supply of goods or rending of service or though issue
invoice but does not issue in legal manner or does not provide information or give
untrue information to the value added tax authority about the transaction or sale of
taxable goods or service with a view to avoiding the payment of tax, he may, in order to
determine the actual tax liability of the person, appoint, in the place of supply of goods
or providing of service or trading of the said person, one or more value added tax
officers for so long as he considers necessary and give them necessary directives to
ensure observation, surveillance and supervised supply.
(3)
The officers appointed under sub-section (1) and (2) may, observe, keep surveillance on
and supervise supply of goods and providing of service by the said taxpayer and shall
submit to the Commissioner information relating to transaction or sale of taxable goods
and service or applicable tax received through such observation, surveillance or
supervision, on the basis of which the Commissioner may determine the tax' payable by
the taxpayer for the relevant tax period or for any other tax period.
(4)
If the Commissioner has reasons to believe that an y supplier of taxable goods or

provider of taxable services does not submit invoice according to section 32 or submit
untrue invoice or does not show sales value or total receipt correctly in the books of
accounts kept under section 31 or in the, returns of,t4x period submitted under section
35, the Commissioner may fix for each tax period, the minimum amount of sale,
amount of value addition, base value for payable tax or amount of payable tax for the
suppler of taxable goods or provider of taxable service in question, on the basis of
prima-facie idea considering sale value or total receipt or other relevant information of a
supplier :of similar taxable goods or provider of similar taxable service with identical
location, environment and situation in comparison with the said supplier of taxable
goods or provider of taxable services.
(5)
In giving effect to the provisions of this section, other provision of the Act regarding
opportunity of being heard in favour of the tax payer shall be followed.
27. Seizure of confiscable goods.-
Page 19 of 39
(1)
Any value added tax officer, authorized in this behalf by a value added tax officer not `
below the rank of an Assistant Commissioner, may seize any confiscable goods and
where it is not possible to seize such goods, he may order or the person under whose
possession or supervision the goods remain not to remove, transfer or otherwise dispose
of without the prior permission of the said Officer:
Provided that in the case of seizure of goods of any registered person under this SubSection, the Officer specified in the rule may, pending adjudication, allow interim
release of the seized goods in favor of the registered person or a person authorized by
him as per procedure and conditions prescribed by Rules.
(2)
Show cause notice shall be served to the owner of the goods seized under sub-section
(I) within two months from the date if seizure, mentioning the reason for proposed
confiscation if the goods and he shall be given opportunity to submit written reply
against the charge brought against him and, if he so desires, opportunity shall also be
given to be heard in person or through his nominated legal counsel:
Provide that the Commissioner may, recording the reason, extend the aforementioned
period of two months, for a further period not exceeding two months:
Further provided that the provisions of this sub-section shall not apply to a case where
order of confiscation of goods or levy of fine is passed considering the written
confessional application of the owner of the goods or concerned person consents in
writing to abide by the order, without prejudice to the right of appeal against the said
order given without show cause notice:
(3)
In a case where show cause notice under sub-section (2) has not been served upon the
owner of goods seized under sub-section (1) within two months from the date of seizure
or, as the case may be, the time extended by the Commissioner, the goods shall be
returned to the person from whose possession it was seized.
28. Goods seized how to be dealt with.- In case of preservation, disposal and management
of the goods seized under section 27, the provisions of section 169 of the Customs Act,
shall apply with necessary modification.
29. Sale of goods and disposal of sale-proceed. - In case of sale of goods under this Act,
except confiscated goods, and the disposal and management of sale proceeds thereof,
the provisions of Section-201 of the Customs Act, shall apply with necessary
rectification.
30. Management of confiscated goods.- The Board may, subject to rules, manage the
goods, absolutely confiscated to the State, in any manner as it deems fit.
31. Keeping of accounts.- Every registered person shall, for the convenience of
determining his tax liability during a particular tax period, preserve, in the form and the
manner prescribed by Rules, and keep at the place of business the following records,
relating to goods purchased or supplied or service provided by him or by any of his
agents, namely:
(a)
statement of purchase of goods and services, taxable and exempted and invoices
related thereto;
(b)
statement of supply of goods or providing of service, taxable or exempted export

of those goods or services and the invoices related thereto;
Page 20 of 39
(c)
Current Account;
(d)
statement of accounts of money deposited through invoice, to the treasury or to

any bank approved in this behalf by the Government for the purpose of payment
of value added tax;
(e)
statement of stock of inputs and goods manufactured or produced;
(ee) commercial documents relating to taxable or exempted goods and rendering of

service;
(f)
such books and records as may be set by Special Rules:
Provided that, the Board may 1-iv notification in the official Gazette, specify the
procedure anti the types of books and records which a registered person is required to
maintain:
32. Tax invoice.- Every registered person shall at the time of supply of taxable goods or
providing of taxable services or export of goods or service or sale of taxable imported
goods issue invoice with consecutive serial number in the form and manner prescribed
by Rules or in any other form and manner approved by the Board in this behalf by
notification in the official Gazette:
Provided that,
(a)
not more than one invoice shall be issued for a single supply of taxable goods or
sale of taxable imported goods or providing of taxable service, or export of goods
or service;
(b)
in .a case where- any person claims that his original invoice has been lost, the
concerned supplier of goods or providing of service may issue to him a copy of
that invoice marked distinctly as "copy only".
33. Period of preserving records.- (1) A registered person who has obligation to preserverecords under section 31 shall have to preserve the records in Bangladesh for at least 6
years following the completion of the period to which it relates; but if any case under
this Act is pending against the registered person, the records for the relevant tax period
shall have to be preserved until the final disposal of the case.
(2) At source Value Added Tax deducting authority will keep the documents laid down
by rule for at lease 6 (six) years.
34. Submission of documents etc.- If, at any time, a value added tax Officer directs a
registered person in this behalf to submit records, commercial documents, etc in his
possession or under his control, he shall be under an obligation to submit such records,
commercial documents, etc. to the said Officer.
34A. Issuance of attested copy of value added tax documents.- An Officer not below the
rank of an Assistant Commissioner of value added tax, on the basis of application from
any person, if satisfied with the matter that the applicant has not resorted to any fraud,
or he has no intention to commit any fraud and the demanded value added tax related
documents are concerned with the subject mentioned in the application, then the said
Officer may, issue attested copies of such documents, on payment of fees determined
from time to time by Boards Order.
Page 21 of 39
35. Submission of return.- A manufacturer or producer or trader of taxable goods or

provider of taxable service shall submit a return to the concerned tax officer within
prescribed time in the form and manner prescribed by rules for every tax period,
showing therein all of his tax liabilities under this Act, within the specified date.
36.
Examination of return.
(1)
The concerned officer shall examine according to the procedure prescribed by rules, the
return submitted by a person under section 35 as soon as possible and, on examination,
if it is proved that value added tax or, where applicable, value added tax and
supplementary duty paid by him is less than the value added tax or, where applicable,
value added tax and supplementary duty payable under this Act, the said officer shall
direct the person, by order, to pay within seven days of the receipt of the order, the
unpaid amount of Value Added Tax or, where applicable, value added tax and
supplementary duty,
(a)
in the case of supply of goods; by adjustment in the Current Account; and
(b)
in the case of providing of service, in the manner determined by the officer in this
behalf.
(2)
If, on examination under sub-section (1), it is proved that the person has paid value
added tax or, where applicable, value added tax and supplementary duty more than the
amount of value added tax or, where applicable, value added tax and supplementary
duty payable under this Act, the concerned officer shall, by order, give an opportunity
to, the person to adjust the excess value added tax or, where applicable, value added tax
and supplementary duty, against the amount of value added tax or, where applicable,
value added tax and supplementary duty payable in the next tax period.
(3)
During examination of a return submitted under section 35, if the concerned officer
considers it necessary to determine proper input-output co-efficient of any taxable
goods, or finds that the taxable goods or service provided and the money received from
it have been shown less than actual quantity of the goods or service and amount of
money, he may take step for necessary scrutiny to determine the correct input-output
coefficient of the goods or service and the amount of money received from it.
(4)
In a case where a registered person fails to submit a return under section 35, or provides
information in the return submitted under the said section, which is incorrect or he has reason to
believe it to be incorrect, as a result of which the amount paid as value added tax or, where
applicable, value added tax and supplementary duty becomes less than the actual or, in the case
of export, demands more drawback than the actual amount, the concerned officer may, without
prejudice to the provisions of penalties under this Act or the Rules and after giving to the person
a reasonable opportunity of being heard, determine the payable amount of value added tax or
calculate the amount of drawback on the basis of the information collected by any value added
tax officer or on the basis of scrutiny made under subsection (3) and the payment of value
added tax or, where applicable, value added tax and supplementary duty so determined or
calculation of drawback so made shall be obligatory to the person.
Page 22 of 39
37. Offences and penalties.(1)
If any person,
(a)
fails to apply for registration under this Act, although it is required for him to
apply; or
(b)
fails to submit return within the prescribed date; or
(c)
fails to inform the value added tax officer about any change on information in
relation to registration; or
(d)
fails to comply with the direction of any summons under section 25; or
(dd) fails to maintain electronic cash register (ECR) or computer as mentioned in

clause (d) of sub-section (e); or
(e)
(2)
violates any other provision of this Act, then, he shall be liable to pay a money
penalty of fine of taka not less than five thousand and not more than twenty five
thousand.
If any person, (a)
fails to submit tax invoice or submits an untrue tax invoice on important information; or
(aa) fails to pay value added tax or, where applicable, value added tax and supplementary duty
on goods supplied or service rendered by him being directed twice by the concerned
Officer, or fails to submit the return for a tax period even after lapse of the due time
specified for such submission; or
(b)
submits untrue return in the context of important information; or
(bb) attempts to evade value added tax on supply of goods without recording information
regarding sales in the Accounts book of Sale (Mushak-17) and in the Account Current
book (Mushak-18); or
(c)
evades or attempts to evade tax by submitting forged or false documents to a value added
tax officer; or
(cc) despite being instructed by any VAT Officer, a registered or worth registered person fails
to furnish any information or document; or
(d)
does not preserve any document or ECR or computer which is required to be preserved
under this Act or Rules; or destroys or alters such document or mutilates any part of such
document; or demonstrates it to be false; or does not preserve the document as per
requirement of this Act; or
(e)
consciously makes a false statement or declaration; or
(f)
obstructs or prevents from entering into his business place any value added tax officer
authorized under this Act to inspect or seize any record, register or any other document,
ECR or computer relating to value added tax; or .
Page 23 of 39
(g)
being involved himself in receiving, taking possession or carrying out transaction

of such goods despite of knowing fully well or having sufficient reason to believe
that value added tax or, where applicable, supplementary duty payable on such
goods has been evaded; or
(h)
receives input tax rebate through false or forged invoice; or
(i)
evades or attempts to evade value added tax or supplementary Duty by any other
means; or
(j)
issues chalan stating therein the amount of value added tax even without being a
registered person; or
(jj)
does not do anything as required or does anything which is not required under
sub-section (4a) of section 6; or
(jjj) delivers goods or renders service under this Act or the rules, without keeping
sufficient balance required in the Current Account, by which adjustment or
payment of output tax can be made by accumulating the balance with deposited
money and the rebate (credit) due to input tax; or
(k)
does or abates in doing anything specified in clause (a) to JJJ),

then, he shall be liable to a monetary penalty of an amount not less than equal
amount and not more than two and half time of the amount of value added tax or,
where applicable, value added tax and supplementary duty, payable upon the
goods or service;
(3)
If the registered service provider fails to submit return or to pay value added tax or,
where applicable, value added tax and supplementary duty within the specified date,
then he shall have to pay that unpaid value added tax or, where applicable, value added
tax and supplementary duty together with an additional tax at the rate of 2% per month
on the unpaid tax.
(3a) The effectiveness of penal provisions for an offence committed under this Act or the
Rules made there-under shall not be prejudiced by the payment of value added tax or,
where applicable, value added tax and supplementary duty along with monthly 2%
additional tax under sub-section(3)
(3b) Notwithstanding the fact that there was obligation to deduct VAT at source under the
provisions of Sub-Section (4aa) and Sub-Section (4b) of Section-6, if the authority to
deduct VAT at source fails to deduct VAT at source and fails to deposit it to
government treasury,(a)
The VAT to be realizable with interest under the provisions of Sub-Section-3 will
be realized from such person in the manner as if he is a supplier of goods or
provider of services under the above provisions;
(b)
With no prejudice to Sub-Sub-Section (a), if VAT deducted at source is not
Page 24 of 39
deposited to the government treasury in time; then concerned Commissioner will

have power to impose BDT 25,000.00 (twenty five thousand) personal fine upon
the person who has deducted VAT at source or upon the person who was
responsible to deposit the money to the government treasury or upon the Chief
Executive of the concerned organization.
(4)
Notwithstanding anything contained any where in the Act, if a registered person fails to
pay value added tax or, value added tax and supplementary duty,, as the case may be, if
applicable, even after being notified for the purpose twice by the concerned officer or
fails to pay value added tax or value added tax and supplementary duty, as the case may
be, within three months after the expiry of tax period or commits any offence at least
twice as mentioned in sub-section (2) and section 38 in any twelve months period or if a
person required to be registered fails to registered fails to register within one month of
order for compulsory registration under sub-section (40 of section 15, then
(a)
in the case of registered person, his business premises can be closed and his
registration can also be cancelled; and
(b)
in the case of a person required to be registered, his business premise can be

closed.
(5)
No monetary penalty except the penalty imposed by a Court of Magistrate, shall be

imposed upon the concerned person nor shall his business premise be put under lock
and key; nor shall his registration be cancelled without giving him a reasonable
opportunity of being heard (including opportunity of being heard personally if he so
desire, or being heard through his nominated counsel).
(6)
Whatever be there in the other part of this Act, if any person is proved guilty in the
Court of Special Judge for offences described in Sub-Section-2, he can be awarded a
minimum three months and maximum two years imprisonment or a fine of minimum
equivalent or maximum two and half times the involved Value Added Tax or
circumstantially, Value Added Tax and Supplementary Duty or with both the fines.
37a. Adjudication by Special Judge.

(1)
Whatever be there in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898) or in other
Acts, in cases of awarding punishment by Special Judge for the offences described in
Sub-Section-2 of Section-37 of this Act; it will be adjudicated by him in the manner
that those offences are scheduled offences of Criminal Law amendment Act, 1958 (Act
No. XL of 1958).
(2)
Special Judge will not accept any offence for adjudication under this Act, if it is not
referred to him in written manner by an officer of Value Added Tax not below the rank
of an Assistant Commissioner with prior approval from the Board.
(3)
The office or jurisdiction of the officer of Value Added Tax described in Sub-Section-2
will be considered as falling under the jurisdiction of the Special Judge trying the case.
37b. Special Jurisdiction of Special Judge.- (1) Special Judge will remain empowered to
issue any directive, with penalties for offences committed under this Act and where
Page 25 of 39
applicable further investigation, seizure of properties, attachment and order of

confiscation.
(2) If Special Judge orders for further investigation in any case filed under this Act, he
will fix a timeframe to the investigator for investigation and submission of report in the
order and that timeframe must not exceed a period of 6 (six) months.
38. Confiscation.(1)
If a person required to be registered, manufactures or produces or involves in trading of

any taxable goods before registration, those goods shall be liable to confiscation; or
(2)
If a registered person.
(a)
removes any taxable goods from the place of business without chalan (invoice); or
(aa) supplies goods or renders service without paying the tax mentioned in the invoice
or the tax applicable to concerned goods or service; or
(b)
removes such taxable goods from the business premise with chalan (invoice)
which does not accompany the goods up to its destination;
(c)
fails to comply with the provisions of sub-section (4a) of section 6, then those
goods shall be liable to confiscation and the said registered person, his
representative or any person involved with the said activates shall be liable to a
monetary penalty of an amount not less than equal amount and not more than two
and half time of the amount of the value added tax or, where applicable, value
added tax and supplementary duty payable on the goods.
39. Extent of confiscation.(1)
The confiscation of any goods under this Act shall also include the container in which
the goods are found and shall other things found in that container.
(2)
Any kind of transport used for transporting goods liable to confiscation under this Act
shall also be liable to confiscation:
Provided that if a transport liable to confiscation under this sub-section is seized, the
Officer specified in the Rules may, pending adjudication of the transport and the goods
carried in it, allow interim release to it as per provisions of the Rules.
(3)
The confiscation in the case of a vessel shall include its tackle, appliances and furniture.
40.
Power of adjudication.- Adjudication relating to any confiscation or levy of any

penalty under this Act or any Rules made thereunder, shall be made,
(a)
in case of import and export, in accordance with the provision of section 179 of the
Customs Act 1969; and
(b)
in case of supply of goods and providing of service, by the value added tax Officers
according to the following table:
Page 26 of 39
Nature of
Adjudication
Empowered
Officer
Power
Confiscation of goods or Commissioner

service and imposition of
monetary
penalty
or
imposition
of
monetary
penalty relating to tax evasion
or confiscation or tax evasion
Value of the goods or taxable

services when exceeds Tk. 15
lakh;
Additional
Commissioner

services not exceeding Tk. 15
lakh;
Joint Commissioner Value of the goods or taxable

lakh;
Deputy
Commissioner

lakh;
Assistant
Commissioner

lakh;
Revenue Officer

lakh;
Imposition
of
monetary Divisional Officer
penalty other than those of
claue (a)
Full power
Explanation: In this table, value of goods or taxable service shall not include the value
of the transport carrying the seized goods or service.]
41. Imposition of penalty in lieu of confiscation.- When a decision is taken for
confiscation of any goods under this Act or the Rules, the adjudicating Officer may give
the owner of the goods an opportunity to redeem the goods paying, in lieu of
confiscation, taxes payable on the said goods, other Government dues, monetary
penalty and such amount of fine as the adjudicating officer may deem fit;
Provided that none of the provisions in this section shall be applicable in case of import
of any goods banned by or under any law.
42. Appeal.(1)
Any value added tax Officer or any person aggrieved by any decision or order given by
a value added tax Officer under this Act or the Rules, may appeal against such order,
within ninety days of giving such decision or order, except against an order of seizure
or sale issued under section 56 in case of supply of goods or providing of services of
those issued under section 82 and 98 of the Customs Act in the case of imported goods,
Page 27 of 39
(a)
to the Commissioner (Appeal), against the decision or order issued by an

Additional Commissioner or any value added tax Officer subordinate to him; and
(b)
to the Customs, Excise and Value Added Tax Appellate Tribunal, constituted
under section 196 of the Customs Act, hereinafter called the Appellate Tribunal,
against, the decision or order issued by the Commissioner, the Commissioner
(Appeal) or any value added tax officer of equivalent rank and status; and
(c)
to the High Court Division of Bangladesh Supreme Court, if the decision or order
is passed by the Appellate Tribunal.
(1a) Following the acceptance of an appeal under subsection (1),(a)
if the appeal is filed to the Commissioner (Appeal), Commissioner (Appeal) may

conduct an enquiry about the appeal if he considers it necessary or collect
information and may, after giving to the appellant reasonable opportunity of being
beard, uphold the decision or order appealed against, or amend it, or reject it or
give such fresh decision or order as he deems fit:
Provided that if the Commissioner (Appeal) is satisfied that the appellant could
not file the appeal within the said ninety days time due to sufficient reason, he
may permit the appellant to file the appeal within next two months following the
said period.
(b)
(2)
if the appeal is filed to the Appellate Tribunal, the appellate Tribunal, shall,
notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, dispose of the appeal following,
as far as practicable, the provisions of the Customs Act regarding the said
Tribunal.
If any person intends to prefer an appeal under subsection (1) against a decision or order
relating to a demand of value added tax payable on any goods or service or to a fine
charged under this Act, he shall have to pay, at the time of filing his appeal,
(a)
in case of an appeal filed to the Commissioner (Appeal), 10% of the tax demanded
or where there is no tax demanded, 10% of the monetary fine charged;
(b)
in case of an appeal filed to Appellate Tribunal against an order issued by the

Commissioner or any value added tax officer of his equivalent rank, 10% of the
tax demanded or where there is no tax demanded 10% of the monetary fine
imposed;
(c)
in case of an appeal filed to the Appellate Tribunal against an order of the

Commissioner (Appeal), 10% of the tax demanded or where there is no tax
demanded 10% the monetary fine charged, in the Government treasury or to a
value added tax officer authorized by the Government in this behalf.
(2a) When tax cannot be determined instantly on the basis of relevant decision, such
decision shall continue to be effective until the appeal filed under section 42{1) is
disposed off
(3)
No appeal under sub-section (1) shall be filed against any decision or order after any
proceeding under section 43 has been initiated by the hoard relating to such order or
decision.
(4)
When an appeal has been filed under Sub-Section-1 or as the case may be under SubSection-1(a), the Commissioner (Appeal) or as the case may be the Appellate Tribunal
Page 28 of 39
is obligated to dispose of the case with 9 (nine) months.

Proved that if Commissioner (Appeal) or as the case may be Appellate Tribunal fails to
give decision disposing off the appeal within the stipulated timeframe, it will be
considered that the appeal has been granted.
(5)
If any appeal filed to the Board under section 42 within the specified date or any appeal
order given by the Board or any matter arising out of or relating to such appeal remains
undisposed of or unimplemented immediately before the said date, as the case may be,
it shall be transferred to the Appellate Tribunal on the specified date and shall, as far as
practicable, be disposed of by the Appellate Tribunal in accordance with the procedure
specified in section 196 of the Customs act.
Explanation: In this section, specified date shall mean the lst October, 1995.
43. Power of the Board to requisition and examine records, etc.(1)
The Board may suo moto call for and examine the records of any proceedings under this
Act in order to satisfy itself about the legality and appropriateness of any decision or
order passed by any value added tax officer subordinate to it, and can pass such order as
it deems proper:
Provided that no order of confiscation of goods of higher value, or increasing the
amount of fine in lieu of confiscation, or imposing fine, or paying non-levied or shortlevied value added tax or, where applicable, value added tax and supplementary duty,
shall be given without giving the person likely to be aggrieved by it an opportunity of
showing cause or being heard in person or through a counselor or any other person duly
authorized by him.
.
(2)
No record on the proceeding relating to an order or decision of any BAT officer can be
called for and examined under sub-section (1) after the expiry of 2 'years of giving such
order or decision.
(3)
In a case where any appeal under sub-section (1) of section 42 is pending, no

proceeding under sub-section (1) shall be initiated till the disposal of the appeal.
44. Power of the Board to rectify errors, etc.(1)
The Board may, rectify any apparent error or incorrectness from the record of any order
passed under the provisions of this Act or the rules suo moto or on an application by
any person within one year of giving such order:
Provided that no rectification to increase the amount of penalty or to impose an
increased amount of fine or greater amount of value added tax or, where applicable,
supplementary duty can be made without giving the person likely to be aggrieved by
such rectification an opportunity of being heard in person or through a counsel or any
other person duly authorized by him:
Provided further that no application under this sub-section ;hall be acceptable in a case
where the applicant did not avail himself of the opportunity of filing an appeal under
section 42 bough he had such opportunity.
(2)
No proceeding under sub-section (1) shall be initiated in a e where an application has

been made under section 45, and where such an application is pending proceedings so
Page 29 of 39
initiated shall abate.

45. Power of review by the Government.-. The Government may pass order as it deems
fit, on consideration of an application of any person aggrieved by a decision or order of
the Board under section 43 or an order under section 43 of confiscation goods of greater
value or increasing the amount of fine in lieu of confiscation, or imposing monetary
penalty or compelling to pay any non-levied or short-levied tax, if the application is
made within four months from the date of such order or decision:
Provided that the Government may, if satisfied that the applicant had not been able to
submit the application within the aforesaid four months period for some justified
reasons, allow the applicant to submit application within four months next following the
said period:
Provided further that an order of confiscation of goods of enhanced value, or increasing
the amount of fine in lieu of confiscation, or imposing fine, or direction to pay nonlevied or short-levied value added tax or, where applicable, value added tax and
supplementary duty shall not be made without giving the person likely to be aggrieved
by it an opportunity of showing cause against it or being heard in person or through a
counsel or any other person duly authorized by him.
46. Appearance by authorized representative and value added tax consultant, etc.(1)
Any person who is entitled, or summoned, to appear before any value added tax officer,
appellate authority, the Board, or the Government in connection with any proceedings
under this Act or Rules made there under may appear by a person mentioned in section
196k of the Customs Act and the provisions of that section shall apply to him as if it
were enacted under this Act for appearance under this section.
(2)
The Board may issue license to any person to plead as value added tax consultant, for
the purpose of any proceedings under this Act or the Rules made there under, to
perform any act related to value added tax or to appear according to sub-section (1)
before any officer, or authority, mentioned in that sub-section or the Board or the
Government on behalf of any registered or registerable person or to advise him on any
matter which has arisen or which may arise from this Act or the Rules.
47. Power of the Government to call for and examine records, etc.- The Government
may, at its own motion, or on an application from any person, call for and examine any
record related to any proceedings of order under this Act or the rules, within one year of
such order to satisfy about the legality and fairness of it and can order in the manner it
thinks after rectifying any mistake or error apparent on examination;
Provided that no order of confiscation of goods of enhanced Value, or increasing the
amount of fine in lieu of confiscation or imposing fine or directing to pay non-levied or
short-levied value added tax or, where applicable, value added tax and supplementary
duty shall be made without giving the person likely to be aggrieved by it an opportunity
of showing cause or being heard in person or through a counsel or any other person
duly authorized by him:
Provided further that in a case where a person failed to avail himself of the opportunity
of filing an appeal under section 42 though such opportunity was available to him, his
application under this sub-section shall not be acceptable.
48. Power to search.- Any value added tax officer, not below the rank of an Assistant
Page 30 of 39
Commissioner of BAT may, if he believes or has reasonable grounds to believe that,

any goods or service liable to levy of value added tax is or has been supplied, delivered
or transported, in contravention of any provision of this Act or the rules from or by any
place, house, premises, vessel or any other transport, authorize by order or in writing
any value added tax officer to enter such place, house, premises, vessel or any other
transport and in such order authority may also be given to search such place, house and
premises, vessel and other transport.
48A. Delegation of the power of Magistrate to value added tax Officer.- To achieve the
objectives of this Act and the rules made there under, the Government may, by
notification in the official Gazette, delegate to a value added tax officer, not below the
rank of an Assistant commissioner, the powers of a First Class Magistrate specified in
Schedule III of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898), hereinafter
referred to as the Code of Criminal Procedure, to exercise the powers conferred under
section 36 of Code of Criminal Procedure.
49. Power to Arrest.- Any value added tax officer authorized by the Board in this behalf,
may arrest any such person who, the said officer believes or has reason to believe, has
committed an offence punishable under this Act.
50. Offence for which arrest cannot be made without a warrant.- Notwithstanding
anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, no offender for an offence
mentioned in section 37 shall be arrested without a warrant under the said Code.
51. Procedure of search and arrest.- All search and arrest under this Act or the Rule made
there under shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Code of
Criminal Procedure relating to search and arrest.
52. Disposal of arrested person.- Any person arrested under this Act shall be forwarded
without delay to the nearest value added tax officer who has been duly authorized in
this behalf by a Commissioner, value added tax to forward such arrested person before a
Magistrate or, if there is no such value added tax officer within reasonable distance, to
the officer in-charge of the nearest police station.
53. Procedure to be followed by officer in charge of Police Station.- The Officer in
charge of the Police Station to whom the person under section 52 is forwarded, shall
grant him bail to appear before the Magistrate of the competent jurisdiction or, if ball is
not granted, forward him to the custody of the said Magistrate.
54. Procedure of inquiry by the value added tax Officer against a person forwarded
under section 52.- (1) If any person is forwarded before a value added tax Officer
under section 52, the Officer shall initiate investigation into the complaint brought
against the person.
(2)
For this purpose, the value added tax Officer shall exercise such powers under, and
shall be subjected to, such provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure as an Officer
in-charge of a Police station may, in case of investigation into an offence for which and
offender can be arrested without warrant, exercise and shall be subject to:
Provided that. (a)
If the value added tax officer is of the view that there are sufficient evidences
against the accused person or there is reasonable grounds to suspect; the Officer
shall grant the accused person bail to appear before the Magistrate of the
Page 31 of 39
competent jurisdiction, or shall send him to the custody of the said Magistrate.
(b)
if it appears to the value added tax Officer that there is no sufficient evidence or
reasonable ground to suspect, the officer shall, subject to surely or undertaking
without surety according to his direction, grant him bail to appear before the
Magistrate of the competent jurisdiction as and when the Magistrate may
summon, and shall send a report to the officer senior to him with details of the
case.
55. Recovery of arrears or short-paid value added tax and other duties and taxes.(1)
In a case where value added tax or, where applicable, value added tax and
supplementary duty due on goods or services provided has not been charged or paid or
has been short-imposed or short-paid or has been erroneously refunded value added tax,
supplementary duty, Customs Duty, Excise Duty and other duties and taxes (excluding
Advance Income Tax) has erroneously been given back under section 13 or duty and
taxes payable on any goods supplied or service rendered in Bangladesh, has been
adjusted due to inadvertence or wrong interpretation, the concerned value added tax
officer shall, within 5 (five) years from the date on which the said duty or value added
tax become payable or was short-paid or refunded or repaid as drawback or adjusted
issue a show cause notice [with supporting information papers or documents]
demanding the payment of the duty or value added tax within the time limit as
mentioned therein.
Provided that where a registered person or an institution with a view to evading tax,
conceals any information or misinterprets or gives false statement in value added tax
registration or current account, or issues any invoice with false statement, the officer
shall not be barred to get refund or value added and in such a case the embargo of 5
(three) years shall not be applicable.
(2)
In the case of imported goods, if any value added tax or, where applicable, value added
tax and supplementary duty has not, for any reason, been paid or has been short-paid or
refunded erroneously, it shall be collected in accordance with the provisions of section
32 and Section 83A of the Customs Act.
(3)
If the person from whom duty and taxes have been demanded under sub-section (1)
complains in writing against the show cause notice issued under that sub-section, he
shall be given an opportunity of being heard. Thereafter, the value added tax officer
may, after considering the objection raised by the said person within 120 (one hundred
and twenty) days of the submission of the objection, shall refix finally, if necessary, the
amount of duty and taxes demanded by the notice, or where no objection is raised,
within 120 (one hundred and twenty) days of the notice issued under the said subsection and the person shall be bound to pay the amount of duties and taxes demanded
in the notice or, where applicable, so refixed.
(4)
The Commissioner may, if the person from whom duties and taxes been demanded
under sub-section(1) desires in writing to pay the demanded amount in installments,
order to pay the taxes and duties, in such installments and terms as he may specify: .
Provided that, the time-limit for payment of the installments shall not exceed six
months.
56. Recovery of Government dues.-
Page 32 of 39
(1)
Where any amount of value added tax or, where applicable, value added tax and
supplementary duty levied, or charged of monetary penalty, or money demanded under
an undertaking or any other document executed under this Act or any Rules, is due from
any person, any value added tax officer, not below the rank of an Assistant
Commissioner, in the manner provided by Rules,
(a)
shall deduct the amount from the Officer himself or from, any officer of value
added tax or Excise or Customs held under his control, when any of them owes
money to the person from whom the money is recoverable;
(b)
can notify in writing, any person from whom any money is due or may become
due later on, to the person from whom the said money is due, to pay to the said
officer within 15 days of receipt of the notice, the amount mentioned in the notice
or issue an order to the bank, at which the account of the person from whom the
said money is due is held, to freeze his account;
(bb) can order to stop payment of salaries and allowances of officials of the concerned
bank responsible for any failure of the bank until the amount demanded in the
notice under sub-section (4) has been recovered;
(c)
can stop removal of any goods or rendering of service from the business premises
of the said person or seize the transport (with or without goods) of the business
firm until the said money is fully paid or collected;
(d)
keep business premises of the said person under lock and key until the said money
is fully paid or collected;
(dd) if any goods are perishable and about to be decomposed pending the proceedings
under Sub-Sub-Section (c) and (d), an officer of Value Added Tax not below the
rank of an Assistant Commissioner will be able to take necessary measures for
selling the goods in open auction within shortest possible time, issuing notice to
the registered person;
(e)
can attach and sell or sell without attachment the movable or immovable property
of the person from whom the money is due;
(f)
can recover the money due, by seizure and sale of goods of the person from whom
it is due, if the goods remain under the control of value added tax officer or
customs officer;
(g)
can realize the amount from the transferor of business if the money relates to
business which has been transferred.
(1a) The concerned officer may keep under suspension the effectiveness of the registration
of the person until the money due from him as mentioned in sub-section (1) has been
collected fully or legally disposed of, and may direct the concerned authority to stop the
clearance of any goods owned by such person, kept in sea port, airport or in any other
customs station or warehouse under the Customs;
Explanation: In this sub-section `keeping the effectiveness of registration under
suspension' shall also include the keeping of value added tax registration number (BIN)
under lock in the computerized bill of entry processing system.
(2)
If the said money can not be recovered from the said person in the manner prescribed in
sub-section (1), the concerned officer shall issue a certificate with his signature, stating
Page 33 of 39
the amount recoverable to the person under obligation to pay the amount, and shall send
it to the District collector under whose jurisdiction thee said person resides or owns any
property or conducts any business and the Collector shall, on receipt of the certificate,
proceeds to recover the amount specified in the certificate as a public demand or arrears
of land revenue.
(3)
The concerned value added tax officer may, at any time after sending a certificate under
sub-section (2) to the District Collector with competent jurisdiction, amend or withdraw
it or suspend the proceedings relating to the collection of the money specified in it or
send a new certificate canceling the earlier one:
Provided that, where the concerned District Collector has either initiated the action to
collect the money mentioned in the certificate or the money has been collected wholly
or in part before the withdrawal of the certificate, the certificate shall be deemed as not
being withdrawn.
(4)
If the concerned person or the bank authority fails to comply with the directives given
in the notice served under clause (b) of sub-section (1), the amount specified in the said
notice shall be treated as arrear of revenue due form such person or from the bank and
shall be collected as an arrear of revenue.
(5)
The concerned value added tax officer may, at any time, rectify the amount of money as
demanded under clause (b) of sub-section (1), or extend the time for its payment or
amend or cancel the notice issued or direct to suspend the proceedings of collection of
money.
57. Issue of orders, decisions, etc.- Any order or decision or summon or notice
under this Act shall be issued.
(a) by handing over the order, summon or notice to the person for whom it is
intended or to his agent or by sending it to him or to his agent by registered post
with acknowledgment due; or
(b) by displaying it in the notice board of the local value added tax office, if the
order, decision or notice cannot be served in any of the manners laid down in
clause (a).
58. Compensation for loss or damage shall not be payable except on proof of
negligence or willful act.- No owner of any goods shall be entitled to demand
compensation for any damage or loss of goods during the period it remains in any
godown of the value added tax department, or in any customs area or wharf or in any
landing place, while under the supervision of any value added tax officer, or under
lawful seizure, unless it be proved that such loss or damage was occurred due to willful
negligence or whimsical act of the said officer.
59. Transfer of ownership.- No registered person shall transfer any movable or

immovable property under his business enterprise or the ownership of his business until
he makes full payment of all value added tax or, where applicable, value added tax and
supplementary duty payable under this Act:
Provided that when the buyer of movable or immovable properties or ownership
submits unconstitutional bank guarantee of any scheduled bank relating to the payment
of value added tax or value added tax and supplementary duty, as the case may be,
payable, the concerned Commissioner upon proper consideration and on terms set by
Page 34 of 39
him, can issue order for the transfer.

60. Application of other laws in VAT Act.- The Government may, by notification in the
official gazette, declare that any provision of the Customs Act, 1969 or the Excises and
Salt Act, 1944 (1 of 1944) and the rules made there under, shall after necessary
modification be applicable in the execution of this Act.
61. Bar to the jurisdiction of the Court.- No suit in any civil court can be filed for the
cancellation or alteration of any order given under this Act, or any assessment, fixation
or collection of value added tax or, where applicable, value added tax and
supplementary duty.
62. Safeguard of Acts done in good faith.- prosecution or any other legal proceeding shall
lie against the Government or any of its officers for any probable damage caused to any
person consequent upon any action is or intended to be done in good faith under this
Act or any rules.
62A. Secrecy of Information.- All following statements and information will remain secret,
viz:(a) Any statement, return received under this Act or any information or documents
received under Sub-Section-2 of Section-24 and any document seized under Section-26
and documents kept by registered person under Section-31 or any commercial
document supplied by him;
(b) Any testimony, affidavit or deposition;
(c) Any document regarding realization of demand under this Act.
63. Property of a deceased person.- Tax liability of a deceased registered person shall
have priority as liability on the property inherited from him by his heirs.
64. Liability of an insolvent.(1)
If any registered person is declared insolvent, his tax liability under this Act shall
devolve on the property under insolvency if the business relating to that property
continues.
(2)
If the tax liability arises during the conduct of a business relating to the property after it
has been declared insolvent, any value added tax or, where applicable, value added tax
and supplementary duty due shall be considered as current expenditure for conducting
the business and it shall be paid before the settlement of the claims of other creditors.
65. Removal of difficulties.- If any difficulty arises in the implementation of the provisions
of this Act, the Government may, by order, take any step in order to remove the
difficulty.
66. Power to release certain goods without payment of value added tax and to allow
drawback of value added tax on certain goods.- The Board may, subject to such
conditions, limitations or restrictions as it thinks fit, generally in such cases as may be
prescribed by rules or, in particular, in such cases as may be specified by special order,
authorize the release of certain goods in accordance with the provisions of section 21 of
the customs Act, 1996, without payment of value added tax or, where applicable, value
added tax and supplementary duty or to drawback the value added tax or, where
applicable, value added tax and supplementary duty paid on certain goods.
Page 35 of 39
67. Refund.(1)
Value added tax or, where applicable, value added tax and supplementary Duty or
turnover tax claimed to have been paid or over-paid due to negligence, error or
misinterpretation or any other reason may be refunded in accordance with the procedure
prescribed by rules:
Provided that the claim of refund under this sub-section shall not be acceptable if the
claim is not made within six months of the payment of the value added tax or, where
applicable, value added tax and supplementary duty or Turnover Tax.
(2)
in case of value added tax or, where applicable, value added tax and supplementary
duty provisionally paid under section 81 of the Customs Act, the six months period
shall be counted from the date of adjustment at final assessment of that value added tax
or, where applicable, value added tax and Supplementary Duty.
68. Drawback on imported goods used for export.- Subject to the provisions of Chapter
VI of the Customs Act, value added tax or, where applicable, value added tax and
supplementary duty paid on easily identifiable goods during the import into Bangladesh
be repaid as drawback if such goods are exported to anywhere outside Bangladesh or
have been used as per provisions or stored on board in any foreign going vessel.
69. Drawback on goods used during the period between import and export.Notwithstanding anything contained in section 68, value added tax or, where applicable,
value added tax and supplementary Duty in respect of goods which have been used
during the period between its import and export, shall be refunded as drawback in
accordance with the provisions of the rule made in this behalf.
70. Cases where drawback shall not be allowed.- Without prejudice to the provisions of
section 13 and notwithstanding anything contained in sections 68 and section 69, no
drawback shall be allowed in a case where the conditions specified in section 39 of the
Customs Act are applicable.
70A. Value Added Tax Data Processing, Etc.- The Board, under its direct supervision and
under provisions laid down in Rules and realizing fees could perform through nongovernment organizations; Value Added Tax registration, return submission, payment
of tax electronically and to perform any other related function including data
processing, report generation, etc..
71. Rectification typographical errors etc.- Any mistake or mathematical or
typographical error made by the Government, the Board or a VAT officer in any
assessment of tax, adjudication, decision or order may be rectified by the Government,
the Board or any value added tax officer or any person replacing him.
71A. Power to write off Government dues.- In the case of insolvency of a person or
dissolution of an organization or for any other reasons, it is certain that value added tax
or, where applicable, value added tax and supplementary duty imposed or monetary
penalty charged or any amount of money demanded under any undertaking or other
document executed under this Act or the rules made thereunder cannot be recovered
under section 56 of this Act, the Government may, write off such dues:
Provided that whatever be there in the provisions of other Acts, following writing off of
government dues, if it is proved that any property of the responsible person or
establishment has been arisen anew, or previously with the view to be immune from
Page 36 of 39
government dues, the concerned person or establishment has become bankrupt with
unfair objective of handing over their own properties to other persons or establishments;
then there will be priority upon those properties to realize government arrear and that
will be realized in the manner as if all responsibility of paying government arrear has
been fallen upon the person having the newly arisen property or receiver of property
with dishonest desire.
71AA. Reward for detection unearthing of tax evasion, violation of law, etc.Notwithstanding anything contained to the contrary in this Act or in any other law for
the time being in force, the Board may, in such circumstances and in such manner and
to such extent as may be prescribed by rules, grant reward to the following persons:
(a)
any person who supplies to 'a value added tax officer information about violation of any
provisions of this Act or of any other law for the time being in fore or regards to
evasion or attempt of evasion of tax or revenue payable thereunder, or
(b)
any value added tax officer or an officer or employee of any other Government
organization or of a local authority who detects or unearths the evasion or attempted
evasion of tax or revenue payable under this Act or any other law for the time being in
force or identifies violation of any provision thereof and, as a result of supply of such
information, detection or unearthing it leads to the following situations, namely.
(i)
the seizure and confiscation of goods or other things in relation to which such
evasion or attempted evasion of tax or revenue or violation of the provisions of
law takes place: or
(ii)
the value added tax' or relevant revenue is collected or, as the case may be, the
fine charged upon the person liable is collected under this Act or any other law for
the time being in force; or
(iii) the person, guilty under this Act or any other relevant law is prosecuted.
72. Power to make rules.(1)
The Board may, for carrying out the purposes of this Act, make rules by notification in
the official Gazette.
(2)
Specially, and without prejudice to the generality of the aforesaid powers, the rules may
be made containing about all or any of the following provisions, namely:
(a)
imposition, fixation and collection of value added tax or supplementary duty and
for the purpose of such fixation price declaration, price determination and process
relating to this, taking rebate (credit) of input tax and defining authorities to
discharge duties under this Act;
(b)
removal and transportation of goods liable to levy of value added tax from the
place of production, manufacture or business;
(c)
appointment of Government officer to supervise the application of any rule made

under this Act;
(d) storage separately at the place of production or manufacture or supply of taxable

goods and exempted goods, and the inputs used for production, Manufacture or
supply thereof;
(e)
providing necessary information by a person engaged in supply of taxable goods
Page 37 of 39
or rendering of taxable service under this Act;
(3)
(f)
supply of taxable goods in particular packets, bags or containers only and

compulsory printing, inscribing or knitting of retail price on the packets, bags or
containers containing the goods;
(g)
confiscation of any goods in relation to which any provision of this Actor any rule
is contravened;
(h)
collection and examination of samples of goods produced or manufactured or

imported, purchase, acquired or procured in any other manner and inspection,
search or seizure of transport carrying taxable goods;
(i)
export of goods or services and procedure of rebate and drawback related to the
export;
(j)
authorization to the Commissioner, value added tax to issue written order on any
matter arising out of any rule made under this Act;
(k)
grant reward in accordance with the provisions of section 71 AA.
The Board may, in accordance with provisions of this section make such Rules without
prejudice to any provisions relating to taking any other action under this Act, to impose
on the person who contravenes any rule a monetary penalty not exceeding two and half
times of the amount of value added tax or, where applicable, value added tax and
supplementary duty payable on the relevant goods or service and the goods or service to
which the contravention relates shall be forfeited in favour of the Government.
72A. Publication of en English Text etc.(1)
After the enactment of this Act, the Government may, if it deems fit, publish an
authentic English text of this Act.
(2)
In case of any conflict between Bangla and English Text the Bangla text shall prevail.
73. Repeal and savings.(1)
On the enactment of this Act the Business Turnover Tax Ordinance, 1982 (XVII of
1982) and the Sales Tax Ordinance, 1982 (XVII of 1982), hereinafter referred to as the
said Ordinances, shall stand repealed.
(2)
Notwithstanding the repeal of the above Ordinances in the said manner

(a)
any proceeding concluded, action or measure under taken under the said
ordinances shall, to the extent so far it is not inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act, without affecting the action already taken or measure undertaken, be
deemed to have been completed or undertaken under this Act;
(b)
all rules, orders or notices framed or issued under the said Ordinances shall,
subject to their consistency with the provisions of this Act and until they are
repealed or amended, remain in force, and shall be deemed to have been made,
given or issued under this Act;
(c)
any arrear of tax, fees or other dues charged by or under any of said Ordinances
which remained outstanding immediately before commencement of this Act, shall
be recovered according to the provisions of the said Ordinances as if the
Ordinances were not been repealed.
Page 38 of 39
(3)
The VAT Ordinance, 1991 (XXVI of 1991), is hereby repealed.
(4)
Notwithstanding the repeal under sub-section (3), under the repealed ordinance
(a)
all proceedings completed or measures undertaken shall be deemed to have been

completed or undertaken under this Act; and
(b)
all rules, orders and notices framed and issued shall, subject to their consistency
with the provisions of this Act and until they are repealed or amended remain in
force, be deemed to have been made, given or issued under this Act.
= The End =
Page 39 of 39

Vat Act-1991 (English Version)

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THE VALUE ADDED TAX ACT, 1991

[Act No. 22 of 1991]

[Updated upto August, 2010]

in the case of trading, goods imported, purchased, acquired or otherwise procured

C:\Documents and Settings\User1\Desktop\VAT Act (English Version).doc 06.01.11.doc

taxable goods means goods not included in the First Schedule;

Commissioner means any Commissioner of Value Added Tax appointed under

Current Account means an account maintained in prescribed form by a registered

Challanpatra (Invoice) means Challans provided under section 32.

Schedule means any Schedule annexed to this Act;

Return means a return required to be submitted under section 35 of this Act;

Specified Date means,

Producer or Manufacturer shall include any person engaged in any of the

transforming or reshaping of any substance by processing individually or in

any incidental or related processes required to complete the production of goods;

(iii) printing, publication, lithography or engraving processes;

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(iv) assembling, mixing, cutting, liquidifying, bottling, packaging or repackaging;

the work of a trustee or liquidator, executor or superintendent in case of any

Rule means any rule framed under this Act.

Zero-rated Taxable Goods or Services means goods or services exported or deemed

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use of goods acquired, produced or manufactured in the course of business for

auction or disposal of goods in order to repay the debt of any person;

Goods supplied or services rendered inside Bangladesh in exchange of foreign

3. Imposition of Value Added Tax.-

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any goods or services exported or deemed to have been exported from

any goods re-imported or intended to be re-imported into Bangladesh;

Value added tax shall be payable by

in case of imported goods, the importer at the point of import;

in case of goods manufactured or produced in Bangladesh, the supplier at the

in case of service, the provider/renderer of service; and

in other cases, the supplier.

4. Application of tax rate.(1)

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5. Ascertaining value for determination of Value Added Tax.(1)

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Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, if the Board, in consideration of

6. Time and method of payment.(1)

when the goods are delivered or supplied;

when an invoice relating to supply of goods is issued;

when payment is received either in full or in part.

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When the service is rendered;

when a chalanpatra (invoice) to the service is issued;

when part or full payment is received.

In case the service is received from beyond the geographical boundary of

registration number of the value added tax payer;

total value or commission paid for the service provided;

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amount of value or commission on which value added tax is assessed;

amount of value added tax collected or deducted;

any other information required under the rules.

at import stage, with import duty;

In case of supply of goods or services in other way, through return.

7. Imposition of supplementary duty(1)

in case of imported goods, the value as determined under section 25 or section