By Sheba Digital Report 
Dr. Grameen Bank founded by Muhammad Yunus regained income tax exemption. The National Board of Revenue (NBR) issued a notification last Thursday giving the company income tax exemption until 2029.NBR Chairman. According to the notification signed by Abdur Rahman Khan, Grameen Bank has to file only income tax returns every year.
Grameen Bank has been enjoying tax exemption since its inception. Even when the government passed a law in 2013 repealing the Grameen Bank Ordinance 1983, this facility was retained. But the Awami League government suddenly closed the facility from January 1, 2021.
NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan told Prothom Alo that despite being a bank in name, Grameen Bank actually manages microcredit activities. All microcredit institutions registered with the Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA) are exempt from income tax.Grameen Bank established by special Act need not take registration from MRA. However, the characteristics of Grameen Bank in providing services are similar to those of MRA institutions. As a result, Grameen Bank is justified in getting income tax exemption, which was earlier.
NBR chairman Abdur Rahman Khan also commented that although the approval of the national parliament is required in the case of taxation, the government can give tax exemption.
According to MRA’s 2023 database, there are 1 crore 360 thousand members of Grameen Bank. Out of this, 71 lakh 60 thousand borrower members have taken a loan of Tk 24 thousand 757 crore. Apart from this, the loan status of the members of the bank is 16 thousand 150 crores and savings status is 22 thousand 682 crores.
Meanwhile, NBR has issued a different notification that no income tax will be paid on the money donated by As-Sunnah Foundation till 2029. Founded by Sheikh Ahmadullah, which started its journey in 2017, this charity came into the discussion by conducting relief activities in the recent floods. Even during the 2020 Corona outbreak, the organization was praised for its charitable activities. In 2022, heavy floods in Sylhet and Sunamganj regions and August floods of this year, the organization conducted large-scale relief operations.
In addition, As-Sunnah Foundation sends winter clothes to Turkey during the 2023 Türkiye-Syria earthquake. The foundation has set a target of Rs 100 crore in the current calendar year for relief distribution and post-flood rehabilitation.