Dhaka, June 11 -- The government has made it mandatory to provide a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) when opening a bank account in an effort to expand the tax net.

However, students, government allowance recipients, and individuals or organisations that have received tax exemptions through an official government gazette will be exempt from this requirement.

Industry stakeholders fear that the decision could create difficulties for ordinary citizens and low-income working people.

The proposal was announced on Thursday by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury during his budget speech in parliament.

He said, "I propose that, except for student accounts, no-frills accounts, and persons exempted by a gazette notification issue...