Riders oppose new advance tax in budget
The protesters argued that motorcycles are no longer luxury items but have become an essential mode of transport and a source of livelihood for millions of people
ATT Correspondent 
Motorcyclists staged a human chain in front of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) headquarters on Sunday, demanding the withdrawal of a proposed advance income tax on motorcycles in the upcoming FY2026-27 national budget.
The protest programme began around 12:00pm as riders lined up their motorcycles along the road in front of the NBR building in Dhaka.
Participants said they took to the streets following reports that the government is considering imposing a new Advance Income Tax (AIT) or increasing duties on motorcycle owners in the next fiscal year’s budget.
The protesters argued that motorcycles are no longer luxury items but have become an essential mode of transport and a source of livelihood for millions of people.
“A large amount of duty and VAT is already paid when purchasing a motorcycle. Imposing additional taxes again will become an extra burden on ordinary people,” said AKM Emon, one of the participants.
“We urge the government to step back from such a plan,” he added.
The riders also said they had already suffered due to fuel price hikes and supply disruptions in recent months. According to them, any additional tax would further increase financial pressure on general users and low-income riders.
The protesters called on the government to keep motorcycles free from additional taxation in the upcoming budget and consider the economic realities faced by middle- and lower-income people.
