Private medical college authorities have sought tax exemption on the earnings of the colleges in the upcoming budget for fiscal year (FY) 2019-20, saying that these educational institutions are nonprofit entities.
They also called for tax waiver on medical equipment required for their healthcare facilities.
The Bangladesh Private Medical College Association (BPMCA) leaders placed their demands in a pre-budget discussion organised by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) at its office in the city on Wednesday.
NBR Chairman Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, its members Kanon Kumar Roy and Md Firoz Shah Alam, BPMCA president MA Mubin Khan, its advisor Dr Md Moazzem Hossain and joint secretary Priti Chakrobarty were present, among others.
BPMCA president Mubin Khan said 67 private medical colleges in the country are making significant contributions to the healthcare sector, playing a key role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Quoting from a report of the World Health Organisation (WHO), he said the country is in need of around 0.16 million physicians, but there are only 80,000 doctors in the country.
"The private medical colleges are making a great contribution to the country's healthcare sector to meet the demand," he added.
Unlike commercial private medical or general hospitals, the private medical colleges are nonprofit organisations as per the policy of the health ministry and other agencies concerned, Mr Khan noted.
Since 2011, the private medical colleges are paying 15 per cent tax on their earnings, he said and requested the NBR chairman to exempt the tax on them.
Responding to a query from reporters, NBR Chairman Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan said doctors are the same as any other professionals who pay income taxes on their earnings.
"There are many doctors who pay taxes on their total earnings, while some others don't show even one-fourth of their actual earnings," he added.
"I would request all the professionals, including doctors and lawyers, to be ethical while paying income taxes," he said.
Acknowledging the private medical colleges' contributions to the country's healthcare sector, the NBR chief said he would consider their request.
