Taxation is a universally practiced system wherein governments impose obligatory financial obligations on individuals and organizations. This practice is prevalent in nearly every country worldwide, primarily functioning as a means to generate revenue for government expenditures. Nonetheless, taxation serves various other purposes as well. The government of Bangladesh, in line with this global practice, imposes taxes on its citizens.
In the past, the tax process in Bangladesh was characterized by complexity and intricacy. However, in today’s digital age, tax compliance has become considerably more accessible than in previous years. To address the historical complexities associated with taxation, a Bangladeshi startup called Shapla has recently introduced a revolutionary platform known as “Shapla Tax.” This platform empowers citizens to efficiently calculate and file their taxes online, offering a user-friendly and convenient solution.
In our rapidly evolving world, the concept of financial empowerment has gained paramount significance. Among the myriad tools contributing to financial empowerment, an efficient and user-friendly tax filing solution has emerged as a prominent player.
Moreover, this new era is witnessing an innovative and forward-thinking transformation in the realm of tax filing. Driven by fresh perspectives and a fervor for innovation, young innovators are streamlining the once-daunting tax filing process, making it more accessible and engaging for all.
Shapla Tax
Bangladeshi start-up Shapla just unveiled a brand-new platform called Shapla Tax. It is Shapla’s second product on the market. It offers users the ability to compute and submit their taxes electronically. For Bangladeshi taxpayers, Shapla Tax offers a free tax calculator and filing features. This brand-new B2C platform aims to quickly and effectively automate the laborious tax filing and return procedure.
Individual taxpayer tax calculations have traditionally been manual and frequently intricate. Shapla is employing a free tax calculator. It is also automating the entire procedure via an online portal. By doing these Shapla is making life easier for taxpayers with this new feature offered. In the fiscal year 2021–2022, a number of users used it.
According to National Board of Revenue, Bangladesh has 169 million people, however, the National Board of Revenue estimates that just 6.7 million of them are taxpayers, or less than 1% of the total population.
According to a recent declaration, the government has implemented rules requiring freelancers to file zero tax returns and made it essential for internet enterprises with sales of more than BDT 2,000 to do so.
Shapla Tax users’ opinion
Hussain M. Elius, the co-founder of Pathao, who is one of their users, remarked, “I detest calculating taxes, good thing I didn’t have to this year because Shapla did it for me.
Afnan Ibne Hashem, assistant manager of online payments at bKash Ltd, added, “My tax filing is already done. I have been filing my taxes with simplicity for the past 4 years, all because of Shapla. Shapla answered the question, “Why don’t they teach how to prepare taxes in schools?” by making it clear and straightforward. Excellent service. Individual taxpayer tax calculations have traditionally been manual and frequently intricate.
In the fiscal year 2021–2022, Shapla promises to make taxpayers’ lives easier by employing a free tax calculator and automating the entire procedure via an online portal. This new function has already been used by a number of customers.
Shapla was first introduced in 2021 as a B2B solution that offered payroll, asset management, leave management, and other HR modules to more than 50 enterprises. They have assisted numerous companies in halting money leakage and fostering openness throughout their organizations, facilitating interactions between the firm and its workforce.
Shapla’s Role:
Tasnim Mortoza, the visionary behind Shapla Tax, is on a mission to transform how taxes are perceived and managed in Bangladesh. She envisions Shapla Tax as a pioneer in cultivating a strong tax culture. Mortoza highlights the importance of simplifying tax filing, emphasizing its pivotal role in a nation’s economic growth.
According to Shaplas’ CEO and co-founder Tasnim Mortoza, Bangladeshi taxpayers pay their taxes between Tk 3500 and Tk 5000 to submit. This tedious method frequently necessitates a lot of time and effort.
In order to make the process simpler for taxpayers, Shapla is offering to finish this process for Tk 2000 per file after having it examined by tax lawyers. Shapla aims to contribute to the development of a digital Bangladesh by raising tax filing awareness and making it simple to compute and file individual taxes, she continued.
The Game-Changing Portal:
In November 2022, Shapla Tax unveiled www.taxfile.shapla.io, a dedicated tax portal that has already revolutionized the way taxpayers in Bangladesh file their taxes. This website not only offers free tax calculators to users, but it also enables online tax filing, doing away with the time-consuming paperwork required for conventional filing methods.
Shapla Tax distinguishes itself by providing a holistic tax solution that fills a gap in the industry. The business goes above and beyond by giving customers access to professional legal aid, guaranteeing that tax-related inquiries are handled by qualified attorneys familiar with Bangladesh’s tax regulations.
Accessibility for All
Shapla Tax’s dedication to a simple design guarantees that its portal is widely accessible to everyone in a nation with widespread internet access like Bangladesh. The online tax calculator is meticulously updated to reflect the most recent tax laws and brackets while closely tracking adjustments to Bangladesh’s tax legislation. Shapla Tax’s services are made more trustworthy and valuable overall since tax lawyers are involved in the evaluation process.
As Bangladesh continues its digital transformation, Shapla Tax’s user-centric approach enables individuals to navigate tax calculations effortlessly. This aligns perfectly with the goals of Digital Bangladesh, a nationwide initiative focused on digital literacy and empowerment. Shapla Tax actively contributes to this movement by providing educational resources that simplify tax obligations for Bangladeshi citizens.
A Path to Financial Empowerment
By simplifying the tax journey, offering education, and instilling a sense of ownership, Shapla Tax becomes a catalyst for individuals to unlock their financial potential. As societies become more financially literate and independent, the ripple effects are far-reaching, driving economic growth, stability, and a brighter future for all.
In a nutshell, Shapla Introduces a User-Friendly Tax Platform. By doing this, the Shapla Tax has made the tax process easier than before. It is not just a tax filing portal; it’s a catalyst for change in Bangladesh’s financial landscape. Tasnim Mortoza’s visionary leadership and the company’s dedication to simplifying taxes are reshaping the way individuals engage with their financial responsibilities. With Shapla Tax leading the way, financial empowerment in Bangladesh is not a distant dream but a tangible reality.
