How to Receive International Payments as a Freelancer in Bangladesh (2026)

This is the most valuable benefit that many Bangladeshi freelancers miss: the government provides a 2% cash bonus on inward remittances from IT and IT-enabled services exports. On $10,000 of income, that's an extra $200 (approximately ৳22,000) paid directly to you:

1. Eligibility: you must be exporting IT services, software development, data entry, digital marketing, or IT-enabled services to foreign clients.
2. Apply through your receiving bank: when your remittance arrives (via Payoneer or Wise transfer to your bank, or direct wire), inform your bank that this is an IT export remittance.
3. Submit documentation: your bank will require evidence of IT export nature — your invoice to the foreign client, your service contract (if applicable), and in some cases an Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) registration for exports above BDT 5 lakh.
4. The 2% bonus is disbursed by Bangladesh Bank to your account within a few weeks of the remittance being verified.
5. This incentive applies specifically to IT/software sector remittances — not all freelance income qualifies. Design and writing services are in a grey area; confirm with your bank.

Bangladesh Bank (BB) has specific rules for inward remittances from service exports:

• All inward remittances must flow through BB-authorised dealer banks or approved platforms. Payoneer and Wise are authorised.
• For remittances above $5,000: your bank may require documentation (invoice, service contract) to process the transfer as a 'service export remittance' rather than a standard personal remittance.
• Foreign currency retention: you may retain up to 50% of your export earnings in a foreign currency account (RFCD account — Resident Foreign Currency Deposit). The remainder must be converted to BDT.
• Export Registration Certificate (ERC) from the Export Promotion Bureau: required for IT service exporters with annual exports above a threshold. Check the current threshold with BB or EPB.
• Income tax: freelance income from foreign clients is taxable in Bangladesh. See the tax section below.

Bangladeshi residents are taxed on worldwide income. Foreign freelance income is taxable under the Income Tax Ordinance 1984 (amended 2023):

• Register as a taxpayer with the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and obtain a TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number) at nbr.gov.bd.
• File annual income tax return by November 30 each year.
• Tax-free threshold: first ৳350,000 (approximately $3,000) is tax-free for male individuals, ৳400,000 for women and senior citizens.
• Progressive rates: 5% up to ৳100,000, 10% up to ৳400,000, 20% up to ৳500,000, 25% up to ৳2 million, 30% above.
• IT export income may qualify for a reduced tax rate or exemption under specific export incentive provisions — verify current rules at nbr.gov.bd or with a tax consultant.
• Convert foreign income to BDT at the Bangladesh Bank rate on the date of receipt for tax calculation purposes.

bKash is the dominant mobile money platform in Bangladesh with over 60 million users. For smaller freelance amounts, bKash is highly practical:

• Payoneer → bKash: Payoneer supports direct BDT withdrawal to bKash wallets. This is the fastest way to access funds without a bank account.
• Transaction limits: unverified bKash accounts have monthly limits of ৳30,000. Verified (KYC-complete) bKash accounts allow up to ৳300,000/month. Upgrade to bKash Business Account for higher limits if needed.
• Wise → bank → bKash: Wise transfers to formal bank accounts (1–2 business days), from which you can instantly send to bKash via mobile banking app.
• For freelancers earning more than ৳300,000/month, a formal bank account (BRAC Bank, Dutch-Bangla Bank, or Islami Bank) is more appropriate than relying on bKash.