Dhaka, June 11 -- Licensed firearm owners in Bangladesh will have to dig deeper each year under a new budget proposal, with pistol and revolver holders facing a Tk 100,000 annual advance tax.

Guns, shotguns, and rifles will attract a Tk 50,000 yearly levy under the same plan.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury put forward the proposal in the 2026-27 budget on Thursday, suggesting a new clause be added to the income tax law.

Under the measure, the authority responsible for registering or issuing or renewing firearms licences will collect the advance tax from owners via e-challan at the point of registration or renewal.

Police Headquarters disclosed in February that 53,702 firearms licences are held across the country.

Of th...