Over 10,000 taxpayers submitted their income tax returns online on Monday, when the associated portal of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) opened for the tax year 2025-26.

According to a press release from the NBR yesterday, 10,202 individual taxpayers visited www.etaxnbr.gov.bd to file their returns on the first day, marking an "unprecedented response".

In contrast, only 2,344 taxpayers had filed returns online when the portal opened on September 9 for last year's tax season.

Officials said the surge resulted from a recent directive prioritising the digital system, which was officially opened by Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed in Dhaka.

On August 3, the NBR issued a special order making it mandatory for individual taxpayers to file their returns online.

However, those aged over 65 years, the differently abled, expatriate Bangladeshis or legal representatives of deceased taxpayers may continue submitting returns in paper.

Anyone facing difficulties in registering with the system need to inform the relevant deputy commissioner of taxes through a written application by
October 31.

Subject to approval by the respective additional or joint commissioner, the taxpayer may then be permitted to file the return in paper.

Last year, more than 1.7 million taxpayers submitted their returns online after the NBR made e-filing mandatory for some groups of taxpayers.

Taxpayers can pay their taxes through bank transfers, debit or credit cards, and mobile financial services such as bKash, Rocket and Nagad. They can instantly download acknowledgement slips and tax certificates upon e-filing.

The NBR has also deployed a round-the-clock helpline through call centres and other digital platforms to assist taxpayers facing difficulties in filing income tax returns online.