The new five-member advisory committee, tasked with recommending reforms for the National Board of Revenue (NBR), has started canvassing stakeholders for their views on pro-people changes.

The committee is sending letters to private sector associations, including FBCCI, MCCI, ICCB and ERF, seeking proposals to guide its reform efforts.

“We are actively seeking suggestions from stakeholders,” committee member and former NBR chairman Muhammad Abdul Mazid told UNB.

The committee, which meets regularly, is committed to preparing well-researched recommendations, he added.

Formed by the caretaker government through gazette notification, the committee includes former NBR presidents Muhammad Abdul Mazid and Nasiruddin Ahmed, as well as three former NBR members – M Delowar Hossain, Farid Uddin and Aminur Rahman.

The committee will advise on a range of areas, including fiscal policy reforms, revenue administration, institutional modernization and citizen engagement.

According to the official gazette, the committee is expected to make recommendations on strengthening the institutional capacity of the NBR, improving governance and broadening citizen engagement in tax policy.

The NBR Board Member was tasked with meeting the secretarial needs of the committee.

As a sign of commitment, the committee members unanimously agreed to work without remuneration. “We are committed to making a positive impact on the country and society, which is why we have chosen to waive any payments,” Mazid said.

Despite the committee’s proactive stance, some procedural concerns remain, particularly regarding consistency of implementation.

Sources close to the process said the official gazette does not specify a deadline for completing the committee’s work, nor does it specify to whom the committee should report.

Furthermore, there is no indication regarding the leadership of the committee, creating ambiguity as to who should lead secretarial duties and convene meetings.

Business leaders also expressed concerns, questioning the potential for real reform when the committee only includes former NBR officials, some of whom they say have failed to implement substantial changes during their mandate.

The caretaker government, which took office on August 8 following the August 5 student movement that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s administration, has introduced several reform initiatives in various sectors, including the formation of this NBR advisory committee .

In recent discussions with the NBR, financial advisor Salehuddin Ahmed emphasized ethical tax collection, urging officials to avoid pressuring taxpayers and instead focus on broadening the tax base .

He also stressed the importance of preserving tax revenues of the National Treasury without any loss due to inefficiency or mismanagement.