How to claim prize bond money

If one of your bonds won, you have 2 years from the draw date to claim the money. After that the prize lapses and the money goes to the government treasury. Here is the whole process.

What you need

1. Bangladesh Bank's prize bond claim form (PDF, in Bangla)
2. The original winning bond, with your signature once on the back
3. A copy of your national ID card (NID)
4. A copy of a cheque leaf (MICR cheque) from your bank account. The prize is paid into this account.
5. One passport-size photograph

Step by step

1. Fill in the form. It asks for your name, father's name, present and permanent address, NID number, TIN, mobile number and bank account details (account name, number and routing number), plus the bond's series, number, draw number, draw date and prize amount.
2. Sign the back of the winning bond once. The form asks for exactly one signature there.
3. Get the form attested. The current form has a section where an officer of your bank signs and stamps it, so take it to your branch. Some offices also ask for attestation by a gazetted officer, so check when you submit.
4. Submit it with the bond and the copies at any Bangladesh Bank office except Mymensingh, such as Motijheel or Sadarghat in Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, Sylhet or Rangpur. According to The Daily Star, the banks, post offices and savings bureau offices that sell prize bonds also accept claims; ask at your branch. Keep a copy of everything you hand in.
5. Get paid. The prize, minus tax, is paid into your bank account. You don't get the winning bond back, but its ৳100 face value is paid along with the prize. News reports say payment usually takes up to about two months.

Tax: 20% at source

Under section 118 of the Income Tax Act 2023, 20% is deducted from the prize before it is paid.

Plus the ৳100 face value of the winning bond.

Damaged or torn bond?

Bangladesh Bank has a separate form for damaged or defective prize bonds. You state how the bond was damaged, and the bank decides on payment after examining it.

Sources: Ministry of Finance prize bond information (prizebond.ird.gov.bd), Bangladesh Bank's claim form, and official draw announcements. Rules can change, so check the form before you submit.