Bikers Protest NBR’s Advance Income Tax Plan on Motorcycles

Members of various biker groups formed a human chain in the capital protesting the National Board of Revenue (NBR) plan to impose Advance Income Tax (AIT) on motorcycle owners. The protest program was held in front of the National Parliament Building on Friday afternoon, May 22, with the participation of more than a hundred bikers.

The protesting bikers said they were not against the government. However, they described the decision to impose advance income tax on motorcycles without any prior discussion as unjust. They alleged that the tax was being imposed without verifying whether a biker actually has taxable income or determining the rider’s real earnings.

According to the bikers, motorcycles are not luxury items for many people, but rather an essential part of their livelihood and daily life. They said some people support their families by riding motorcycles worth Tk 80,000, yet they too are being forced to pay advance tax.

They also questioned why users of luxury smartphones such as iPhones worth Tk 150,000 are not subjected to similar taxes, while motorcycles used for livelihood are being burdened with additional financial pressure.

The protesters further said that the government had not consulted any stakeholders before making a decision that would affect nearly 4.8 million bikers. Members from different biker groups joined the program without banners, which they described as a symbol of unity among riders.

The bikers raised two primary demands: cancellation of the advance income tax and consultation with stakeholders before issuing any law or Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO). They said motorcycle buyers already pay taxes of up to 160 percent at the time of purchase, and imposing an additional advance tax afterward amounts to “oppression.” However, they clarified that they have no objection to paying regular income tax at the end of the financial year according to existing rules.

Didar Islam Sujan, admin of the Bangladesh Vespa Community, said, “I have come here not as a representative of any organization, but as an ordinary biker. I urge the government to reconsider the decision after taking bikers’ opinions into account, so that unnecessary pressure is not placed on ordinary people’s essential needs.”

DBTech/DPO/MUM/OR