The tax hike comes amid a push for a creative economy and youth-led entrepreneurship
Bangladesh doubled withholding tax on creative media services from 2% to 4% effective July 2026, directly contradicting government rhetoric about fostering a creative economy and supporting young entrepreneurs. The policy incoherence signals talent drain risk in tech-creative roles—a critical concern for managers evaluating hiring stability and startup viability in South Asia.
June 14, 2026
Staff Correspondent
bdnews24.com
The government has proposed doubling the withholding tax on “creative media” services, even as it speaks of promoting a creative economy and supporting young entrepreneurs.
The proposal comes as the new BNP government, after 19 years of returning to budget formulation, outlines measures it says are aimed at developing a creative economy while also expanding the tax base.
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Experts say lower withholding rates may be offset by broader tax treatment changes
Bangladesh has set itself an ambitious objective: developing a creative economy that can generate jobs, exports and investment…
The government is planning to exempt individual content creators and freelancers from the existing 7.5 percent source tax in the…
Bangladesh has set itself an ambitious objective: building a creative economy that can generate jobs, exports and investment…
