Bangladesh May Impose Tk50,000–Tk1 Lakh Advance Tax on Firearm Licence Applicants

Applicants seeking firearm licences in Bangladesh may soon be required to pay an advance income tax ranging from Tk50,000 to Tk1 lakh under a proposed provision expected to be included in the upcoming national budget, according to officials from the National Board of Revenue (NBR).

Under the proposal, individuals applying for licences for pistols, revolvers, or rifles could be required to pay Tk1 lakh in advance tax, while applicants for shotguns may face a Tk50,000 requirement. Authorities say the amount would later be adjustable during annual income tax assessment.

At present, existing regulations already require applicants to submit proof of income tax payments for the previous three consecutive fiscal years. Under a policy issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs in July last year, applicants must also demonstrate minimum annual tax payments Tk5 lakh for pistols, revolvers, and rifles, and Tk2 lakh for shotguns.

Officials noted that the proposed change is intended to further tighten fiscal compliance and strengthen the verification process for firearm ownership eligibility. The advance tax requirement would add an additional financial threshold to existing income-based criteria.
 

Earlier guidelines from 2016 had set lower requirements, including Tk3 lakh annual tax payment for applicants seeking pistols, revolvers, or rifles, and Tk1 lakh for shotgun licences over a three-year period. Over time, these thresholds have gradually been revised upward as part of broader regulatory tightening.
 

According to a senior NBR official, speaking on condition of anonymity, the proposed advance tax would not be an additional final cost but would be adjusted against the applicant’s regular tax liability during filing. However, the upfront payment is expected to act as an added screening mechanism for prospective licence holders.

Data from Police Headquarters indicates that there are currently more than 53,000 licensed firearms in the country, with over 48,000 registered in individual names. Authorities say the majority of licences are held by private citizens, reflecting both security concerns and regulatory scrutiny around civilian firearm ownership.
 

If approved in the national budget, the measure would represent one of the stricter financial requirements linked to firearm licensing in recent years, reinforcing government efforts to regulate access while ensuring tax compliance among applicants.