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The issue arose after the NBR slapped a 5 per cent advance tax (AT) on import of goods other than capital machinery and spare parts starting this fiscal year.

Officials at the NBR said the refund process has been explained so that field offices can settle claims and provide refunds within three months of applications being submitted by firms. The process for businesses to get refunds has now been made easier, said Md Zakir Hossain, commissioner of the Customs, Excise & VAT Commissionerate, Jashore.

It will reduce the cost of businesses, said an official of VAT at the NBR.