The government is considering a major tax compliance measure that would require individuals and businesses to have a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) to open and maintain bank accounts, as part of efforts to bring more people under the tax system and improve oversight of financial transactions.
The proposal is under review ahead of the FY2026-27 budget and may be included in the budget speech by Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury.
Officials familiar with the plan said the requirement could apply not only to new bank accounts but also to existing accounts, meaning account holders may need a valid TIN to keep their accounts active.
Authorities are currently examining whether certain groups, including students, government pensioners and those enjoying tax exemptions through official gazette notifications, should be excluded from the requirement.
Tax officials believe linking bank accounts with TIN records would strengthen monitoring of financial activities, make tax evasion more difficult and help expand the country`s taxpayer base.
As part of the broader initiative, the National Board of Revenue is working toward integrating its systems directly with banking databases. Plans are also being considered to connect tax records with other public and private databases, including National ID records, utility service providers and land registration offices.
The move is part of a wider strategy to increase tax collection and improve compliance. Other proposals under consideration include making TIN mandatory for the registration of motorcycles with engine capacities of 150cc and above, introducing a Withholding Registration Number (WIN) for entities that deduct tax at source and imposing a 0.20 percent tax on retailers.
However, the proposal has sparked debate among banking and tax professionals.
Some industry representatives warn that additional requirements could discourage people from using formal banking channels. They argue that confidence in the banking sector remains a challenge and that stricter rules may unintentionally reduce participation in the financial system.
Others have expressed concern that mandatory e-TIN requirements could slow financial inclusion, particularly in an economy where cash transactions remain common. Critics say small entrepreneurs and low-income individuals may shift away from banking services if compliance becomes too burdensome.
Experts have suggested that the government focus on expanding digital and cashless transactions, improving data-sharing between tax and banking authorities and integrating national wealth information with tax return systems to strengthen compliance without creating barriers to financial access.
Bangladesh currently has around 170 million bank accounts, although the actual number of account holders is significantly lower because many individuals and businesses maintain multiple accounts.
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