DHAKA, June 18, 2019 (BSS) – Association of Mobile Telecommunication Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB) today requested the government to reconsider the budget proposal on telecom sector, saying the proposal runs counter to the vision of Digital Bangladesh.
In a post-budget press meet in a city hotel, AMTOB said the new tax policy would burden the existing and new customers with additional costs.
It said supplementary duty on services provided through mobile phone SIM/RIM card was raised from 5 percent to 10 percent, SIM tax from Taka 100 to Taka 200, minimum tax for mobile companies from 0.75 percent to 2 percent of turnover and import duty on smartphones from 10 percent to 25 percent in the proposed budget.
AMTOB said the tax proposals in telecommunication sector totally go against the vision of Digital Bangladesh and would hinder the growth of telecom related services.
It urged the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to remove the existing 5 percent SD on mobile services and SIM Tax.
NBR was also requested to reduce the minimum corporate tax for non-profitable operators, and slash the corporate tax for listed and non-listed companies by 5 percent.
AMTOB also requested the NBR to reduce the appeal charge on any financial disputes from the current 30 percent to 10 percent.
It said imposition of minimum tax of 0.75 percent on turnover meant that investors would be forced to pay 0.75 percent of their revenue, even though they were making a loss.