Electronic invoicing in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has sped up its digital transformation strategies for the last decade, and one of the most significant advancements is the state-wide mandate around electronic invoicing. Guided by the National Board of Revenue (NBR), this initiative marks a solid step towards the modernization of the country’s tax system and the improvement around efficiency for business operations. 

The electronic invoicing will replace traditional invoices on paper for digital documents generated, transmitted, and archived in an electronic format. Under the new mandate, companies must issue their invoices directly to the digital platform of the NBR, which guarantees instant visibility for all financial transactions. This view in real-time allows fiscal authorities to speed up tax collection, reduce declaration breaches, and strengthen the integrity of the national tax collection system. 

The strategy of implementation in Bangladesh follows a progressive stance. The movement began with large taxpayers, and, progressively, has extended the obligation to medium and small companies. Since 2023, certain sectors are obligated to issue all their invoices electronically, with clear indications and chronograms of implementation established by the NBR. Total implementation is expected to be completed on a national level in the next few years. This will make electronic invoicing a requirement for all registered businesses.