SANGSAD BHABAN, June 11, 2026 (BSS) - Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has proposed a range of tax incentives in the Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget with special emphasis on freelancing, content creation and digital entrepreneurship as part of its broader employment generation strategy.

At the heart of the proposal is the expansion of tax exemptions for the digital economy, aimed at encouraging young people to engage in freelancing and online content-based income generation.

While unveiling the maiden national budget of BNP government at the Jatiya Sangsad, Finance Minister in his budget speech today proposed extending the existing tax exemption on IT freelancing income to all categories of freelancing income, with the objective of encouraging freelancers to bring their earnings through formal banking channels and ensure legitimate inflows into the country.

He also proposed making all income from content creation fully exempt from income tax to further support the growing digital creative economy.

To promote startups, innovative ventures and technology-based businesses, he has proposed a zero percent turnover tax rate for such enterprises.

Income from business turnover up to Tk 50 lakh for SME entrepreneurs and up to Tk 70 lakh for women entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs with disabilities has also been proposed for income tax exemption.

In addition, an accelerated depreciation allowance has been proposed for investments in industrial, tourism and sports-related establishments and machinery outside Dhaka and Chattogram City Corporation areas, with 60 percent depreciation in the first year and 40 percent in the second year.

According to budget documents, these measures are designed to support inclusive growth by strengthening freelancing opportunities, expanding content creation income streams and encouraging digital entrepreneurship across the country.