Dhaka: Land Adviser Ali Imam Majumder today emphasized that paying land development tax is not a matter of choice but a civic duty for landowners. “As responsible and patriotic citizens of the country, every landowner must pay land development tax from their own,” he asserted during a workshop on “Tax Collection by Institutions” held at the conference room of the Land Ministry’s headquarters.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, representatives from 16 ministries and departments participated in the workshop, with Land Reform Board Chairman (Secretary) A.J.M. Salauddin Nagari delivering the welcome speech. The meeting was chaired by Senior Secretary of the Land Ministry, Saleh Ahmed, and included participation from Land Appeal Board Chairman (Secretary) Muhammad Ibrahim, Director General (Grade-1) of the Department of Land Records and Surveys Md. Saidur Rahman, additional secretaries, and senior officials from various ministries and departments.
The adviser highlighted that taxes are a primary source for running the state, with land development tax being a vital component of Bangladesh’s revenue system. Timely assessment and collection of this tax are essential for proper land management, economic prosperity, and good governance. “Paying land development tax is now much easier than before, as citizens can do so online from anywhere. We need a shift in mindset. For any institution, paying land development tax is part of its core responsibilities,” Majumder noted, emphasizing the recent advancements in the tax payment process.
Majumder further mentioned that the official tax receipt (Dakhila) serves as legal proof of ownership and is accepted in court. The land development tax, also known as khajna, is an annual tax paid to the government for land usage. Owners of agricultural land exceeding 25 bighas or any amount of non-agricultural land used for residential or commercial purposes must pay this tax annually at a fixed rate.
“According to various ministries and departments, the total land development tax demanded for the 2024-25 fiscal year up to April stands at Tk. 829.62 crore. The outstanding amount is Tk. 679.76 crore, with current dues at Tk. 149.86 crore,” a press release from the land ministry stated. “A total of Tk. 144.13 crore has been collected so far. Compared to the month of March, April experienced a 32% increase in collections, amounting to an additional Tk. 34.58 crore,” it added.
Despite these efforts, the overall collection rate remains low at 13%, with the Ministry of Railways having the highest backlog.