Monthly VAT Return (Mushak 9.1): 7 Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Every VAT-registered business in Bangladesh must submit a monthly VAT return using Mushak 9.1. While the process has become more digital, we still see the same mistakes again and again — mistakes that lead to penalties, blocked input tax credit and VAT audits.

The 7 most common mistakes

1. 1Missing the deadline — the return is generally due by the 15th of the following month.
2. 2Not submitting a nil return in months with no transactions.
3. 3Claiming input tax without valid Mushak 6.3 invoices from suppliers.
4. 4Failing to reconcile sales in the return with books of accounts.
5. 5Ignoring VAT deducted at source (VDS) and its certificates.
6. 6Not maintaining purchase (6.1) and sales (6.2) registers properly.
7. 7Using the wrong VAT rate for goods or services.

How to stay compliant

• Keep VAT registers updated throughout the month, not just at month-end.
• Collect proper Mushak invoices from every supplier.
• Reconcile your VAT figures with your accounts before submitting.
• Set reminders well before the 15th of each month.

Outsourcing VAT compliance to specialists ensures accuracy and frees your team to focus on the business. Our VAT team handles registration, monthly returns and audit support end to end.