Month: September 2019

  • Procedure to get income tax registration for return filing

    Procedure to get income tax registration for return filing

    KARACHI: The income tax return filing by salaried persons, business individuals and Association of Persons (AOPs) is due on September 30, 2019. In order to file return one should get income tax registration.

    Following is the procedure for obtaining income tax registration as issued by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

    The first step of filing your Income Tax Return is to register yourself with Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

    For Income Tax Registration Individual can register online through Iris Portal

    Whereas, the principal officer of AOP and Company needs to visit Regional Tax Office (RTO)

    Taxpayer Registration basics

    Some important facts about Registration

    An individual, a company and an association of persons (AOP) or foreign national shall be treated as registered, when they are e-enrolled on the Iris portal.

    E-Enrollment with FBR provides you with a National Tax Number (NTN) or Registration Number and password.

    In case of individuals, 13 digits Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) will be used as NTN or Registration Number.

    NTN or Registration Number for AOP and Company is the 7 digits NTN received after e-enrollment.

    These credentials allow access to Iris portal, the online Income Tax system, which is only way through which online Income Tax Return can be filed.

    Requirements before Registration

    An individual needs to ensure that the following information is available before starting e-enrollment.

    Requirements of e-enrollment for an individual are as follows:

    CNIC/NICOP/Passport number

    Cell phone number in use

    Active e-mail address

    Nationality

    Residential address

    Accounting period

    In case of business income

    business name

    business address

    Principal business activity

    Name and NTN of employer in case of salary income

    Address of property in case of property income

    Principal Officer of Company and AOP needs to ensure that the following information is available before starting e-enrollment

    Following particulars are required for registration:

    Name of company or AOP

    Business name

    Business address

    Accounting period

    Business phone number

    E-mail address

    Cell phone number of principal officer of the company or AOP

    Principal business activity

    Address of industrial establishment or principal place of business

    Company type, like public limited, private limited, unit trust, trust, NGO, society, small company, modaraba or any other

    Date of registration

    Incorporation certificate by Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) in case of company

    Registration certificate and partnership deed in case of registered firm

    Partnership deed in case firm is not registered

    Trust deed in case of trust

    Registration certificate in case of society

    Name of representative with his CNIC or NTN

    Following particulars of every director and major shareholder having 10% or more shares in case of company or partners in case of an AOP, namely:-

    Name

    CNIC/NTN/Passport and

    Share %

    Requirements for Registration of Non-Resident Company having permanent establishment in Pakistan shall furnish the following particulars:

    Name of company

    Business address

    Accounting period

    Phone number of business

    Principal business activity

    Address of principal place of business

    Registration number and date of the branch with the Securities and Exchange

    Commission of Pakistan (SECP)

    Name and address of principal officer or authorized representative of the company

    Authority letter for appointment of principal officer or authorized representative of the company

    Cell phone number of principal officer or authorized representative of the company and

    Email address of principal officer or authorized representative of the company

    Non-Resident Company not having permanent establishment in Pakistan shall furnish the following particulars:

    Name of company

    Business address in the foreign country

    Name and nationality of directors or trustees of the company

    Accounting period

    Name and address of authorized representative of the company

    Authority letter for appointment of authorized representative of the company

    Cell phone number of authorized representative of the company

    Email address of authorized representative of the company

    Principal business activity and

    Tax Registration or incorporation document from concerned regulatory authorities of the foreign country

    Registration process

    Online Registration

    Online registration is available only for:

    Individual and not for Association of Person or Company;

    Before starting online registration, the Taxpayer must have:

    Read User Guide;

    A computer, scanner and internet connection;

    A cell phone with SIM registered against their own CNIC;

    A personal email address belonging to them;

    Scanned pdf files of:

    Certificate of maintenance of personal bank account in his own name;

    Evidence of tenancy / ownership of business premises, if having a business;

    Paid utility bill of business premises not older than 3 months, if having a business.

    Online registration is available at Iris

    Registration at Facilitation Counters of Tax Houses

    Registration at Facilitation Counters of Tax Houses is available for all:

    Individual, Association of Person and Company;

    Income Tax and Sales Tax;

    For Registration of an Individual, the Individual must:

    Personally go to any Facilitation Counter of any Tax House;

    Take the following documents with him:

    Original CNIC;

    Cell phone with SIM registered against his own CNIC;

    Personal Email address belonging to him;

    Original certificate of maintenance of personal bank account in his own name;

    Original evidence of tenancy / ownership of business premises, if having a business;

    Original paid utility bill of business premises not older than 3 months, if having a business.

    For Registration of an AOP, anyone of the Members / Partners must:

    Personally go to any Facilitation Counter of any Tax House

    Take the following documents with him:

    Original partnership deed, in case of Firm;

    Original registration certificate from Registrar of Firms, in case of Firm.

    CNICs of all Members / Partners;

    Original letter on letterhead of the AOP signed by all Members / Partners, authorizing anyone of the Members / Partners for Income / Sales Tax Registration;

    Cell phone with SIM registered against his own CNIC but not already registered with the FBR;

    Email address belonging to the AOP;

    Original certificate of maintenance of bank account in AOP’s name;

    Original evidence of tenancy / ownership of business premises, if having a business;

    Original paid utility bill of business premises not older than 3 months, if having a business.

    For Registration of a Company, the Principal Officer must:

    Personally go to any Facilitation Counter of any Tax House

    Take the following document with him:

    Incorporation Certificate of the Company;

    CNICs of all Directors;

    Original letter on letterhead of the company signed by all Directors, verifying the Principal Officer and authorizing him for Income Tax / Sales Tax Registration;

    Cell phone with SIM registered against his own CNIC but not already registered with the FBR;

    Email address belonging to the Company;

    Original certificate of maintenance of bank account in Company’s name;

    Original evidence of tenancy / ownership of business premises, if having a business;

    Original paid utility bill of business premises not older than 3 months, if having a business.

    Modification of Income Tax Registration

    Income Tax Registration of a person can be modified after discovering any change or omission in any information, particulars, data or documents associated with the registration of the person.

    Person would have to file a modification form of registration in Iris to change the relevant particulars.

    The Commissioner will grant or refuse the requested modification of the person after examining the modification form of registration and making any inquiry deemed necessary.

    Person can within thirty (30) days of the decision regarding modification file a representation before the Chief Commissioner.

    Chief Commissioner will decide on the merits of the representation filed.

  • Stock market holiday notice

    Stock market holiday notice

    KARACHI: Pakistan Stock Exchange Limited (PSX) will remain closed for two days i.e. September 9 – 10, 2019 on account of Ashura 9th and 10th Muharram.

    A notice issued by the PSX on Wednesday informing all the TRE Certificate Holders, staff and concerned that PSX will remain closed on Monday, September 9, 2019 and Tuesday, September 10, 2019 on account of Ashura 9th and 10th of Muharram, 1441 AH.

  • Rebasing lowers average inflation for July-August

    Rebasing lowers average inflation for July-August

    ISLAMABAD: The average headline inflation i.e. Consumer Price Index (CPI) was calculated at 9.44 for the months of July and August, 2019 on the basis of revised base year, a statement said on Wednesday.

    Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) revised base year for calculating Consumer Price Index (CPI) from 2007-2008 to 2015-2016.

    The CPI on new base (2015-16) comprises of urban CPI and Rural CPI. The Urban CPI covers 35 cities and 356 consumer items. The Rural CPI covers 27 Rural Centers and 244 consumer items. In the new base year (2015-16) National CPI for 12 major groups is also computed by taking weighted average of Urban CPI and Rural CPI.

    According to the PBS, the inflation rate for August 2019 over July 2019 as per base year 2007-2008 is 1.3 percent and 1.64 percent as per base year 2016-2016.

    The inflation rate for August 2019 over August 2018 is at 11.63 percent as per base year 2007-2008 and 10.49 percent as per base year 2015-2016.

    The average inflation rate for July – August 2019 over the same period of last year is 10.98 percent as per base year 2007-2008 and 9.44 percent as per base year 2015/2016.

    The CPI National with base year (2015-16) for the month of August, 2019 has increased by 1.64 percent over July, 2019. The Urban CPI with base year (2015-16) recorded an increase of 1.46 percent while Rural CPI with base year (2015-16) recorded an increase of 1.91 percent. CPI with old base year (2007-08) recorded an increase of 1.38 percent.

    Top few commodities which varied from previous month i.e. July, 2019 are given below:

    URBAN:

    Increased: Chicken (40.75 percent), Tomatoes(37.47 percent), Onions(32.31 percent), Fresh vegetables(12.84 percent), Eggs (9.76 percent), Potatoes(6.21 percent), Cooking oil(4.68 percent), Vegetable ghee(4.18 percent), Motor fuel(3.88 percent), Sugar(3.78 percent), Pulse masoor(2.54 percent), Mustard oil(1.75 percent), Pulse gram(1.44 percent), Wheat flour (1.29 percent) and Pulse mash(1.01 percent).

    Decreased: Fresh fruits(15.64 percent), Liquified Hydrocarbons (LPG) (5.19 percent), and Wheat(0.3 percent).

    RURAL:

    Increased: Tomatoes(35.4 percent), Onions(28.49 percent), Chicken(26.56 percent), Potatoes(18.18 percent), Fresh Vegetables(10.96 percent), Eggs(9.79 percent), Sugar(5.21 percent), Doctor Clinic Fee (4.74 percent), Motor Fuels (4.21 percent), Cooking oil(3.22 percent), Pulse Moong(2.81 percent), Vegetable ghee(2.51 percent), Pulse Mash(2.35 percent) and Milk powder(1.85 percent).

    Decreased: Fresh fruits(20.6 percent), Fish(2.8 percent), Beans(1.72 percent) and Wheat(0.32 percent).

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  • Simplified tax regime for non-residents approved: Dr. Hafeez Shaikh

    Simplified tax regime for non-residents approved: Dr. Hafeez Shaikh

    ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on Wednesday approved a simplified tax regime to facilitate the non-resident companies for investment in the local capital market.

    Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance said that the ECC had approved a simplified tax regime to facilitate the non-resident companies for investment in the local capital market.

    Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh said that these incentives will increase the foreign exchange inflows and reserves of the country.

    A statement issued after the ECC meeting stated that the meeting has approved separate proposals for simplification of tax regime for non-resident companies investing in the local debt market, revision of cess rate on tobacco for the year 2019-2020 and payment of outstanding amount of Rs 5.85 billion as gas subsidy to the fertilizer industry.

    The approvals were given at a meeting of the ECC which met here at the Cabinet Block with Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance & Revenue Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh in the chair.

    The ECC was also briefed on the wheat situation in the country and it was pointed out that while prices were stable in most parts of the country, there were certain areas and places such as Karachi where the wheat and flour prices had escalated.

    The ECC directed the Ministry of National Food Security and Research to sit down with all stakeholders and ensure that the situation does not get out of hands and supply of wheat and flour at regular prices is ensured.

    The ECC also considered a proposal by the Ministry of Energy for application of quarterly adjustment notified on 1st July 2019 to the zero rated industrial consumers and for it to be charged over and above the notified tariff for zero rated industrial consumers at 7.5 cents as well as a proposal to the effect that Financial Cost Surcharge, Neelum Jhelum Surcharge, taxes and positive fuel adjustments would not be part of billing to zero rated sector industrial consumers and would be part of subsidy claims to be picked by the Government of Pakistan.

    The Committee discussed the pros and cons of the proposal in view of its financial implications and asked the Finance Division to hold a meeting with the stakeholders, including the Power Division, Commerce Division and Industries & Production Division and resubmit the case to ECC with solid proposals.

    The ECC also approved proposals submitted by the Ministry of Finance for simplification of tax regime for non-resident companies investing in the local debt market with a view to deepening the country’s capital markets, reducing the cost of debt for the government and increasing foreign exchange inflows and reserves.

    The new tax regime as approved by the ECC would apply to the non-resident companies having no permanent presence in Pakistan.

    The ECC also took up a proposal for extension and rehabilitation of gas network in the oil and gas producing districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and referred the matter to the Development Working Party headed by the Secretary Petroleum for an appropriate decision.

  • Stock market gains 435 points on lower inflation numbers

    Stock market gains 435 points on lower inflation numbers

    KARACHI: The stock market gained 435 points on Wednesday owing to lower than anticipated inflation numbers.

    The benchmark KSE-100 index of Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) closed at 30,244 points as against 29,810 points showing an increase of 435 points.

    Analysts at Arif Habib Limited said that the release of Consumer Price Index (CPI) data proved to be required stimulus that the investors were waiting for.

    Latest release of CPI indicates a lower than anticipated reading and gave confidence to the view that SBP will likely consider revising down the policy rate.

    Buying activity was observed almost across the board with the exception of banking sector scrips, which kept the blue chips in banking sector universe in red and the main reason behind -342 points earlier in the session.

    In totality, the index spiked by 568 points by close of session and ended at +557 points (unadjusted). Cement sector led the upsurge in index, which was supported by O&GMCs and E&P sectors where OGDC and PPL also hit upper circuit.

    Sectors that led the volumes table included Cement (29.2 million), Banks (18 million) and Technology (13.5 million). Among scrips, MLCF (11.4 million), FCCL (9.9 million) and UNITY (9.4 million) contributed to the performance.

    Sectors contributing to the performance include E&P (+148 points), Cement (+81 points), Fertilizer (+56 points), O&GMCs (+46 points), Power (+20 points), Banks (-33 points).

    Volumes doubled from 64 million shares to 128.7 million shares (+101 percent DoD). Average traded value also increased by 100 percent DoD to reach US$ 31.2 million as against US$ 15.6 million.

    Stocks that contributed significantly to the volumes include MLCF, FCCL, UNITY, WTL and LOTCHEM, which formed 35 percent of total volumes.

    Stocks that contributed positively include ENGRO (+61 points), OGDC (+56 points), PPL (+54 points), LUCK (+46 points) and MCB (+39 points). Stocks that contributed negatively include BAHL (-38 points), MEBL (-25 points), FFC (-17 points), NBP (-7 points), and HBL (-7 points).

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  • Rupee gains 40 paisas on improved inflows

    Rupee gains 40 paisas on improved inflows

    KARACHI: The Pak Rupee gained 40 paisas against dollar on Wednesday owing to inflows of export receipts and remittances.

    The rupee ended Rs156.23 to the dollar from previous day’s closing of Rs156.63 in interbank foreign exchange market.

    Currency experts said that inflows of workers remittances and export receipts helped the local currency to gain values.

    The foreign currency market was initiated in the range of Rs156.50 and Rs156.60. The market recorded day high of Rs156.64 and low of Rs156.23 and closed at Rs156.23.

    The exchange rate in open market also witnessed appreciation in rupee value.

    The buying and selling of dollar was recorded at Rs156.10/Rs156.60 from previous day’s closing of Rs156.20/Rs156.70 in interbank foreign exchange market.

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  • Two cellular companies pay $449 million as license renewal fees

    Two cellular companies pay $449 million as license renewal fees

    ISLAMABAD: The government has received $449 million from two cellular companies as license renewal fees.

    “The government of Pakistan has received payment amounting to $224.6 million and Rs 35.262 billion (equivalent of $224.6 million) from two cellular companies respectively as their license renewal fee,” says a press statement issued by the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday.

    According to the statement, the license renewal fee of telecom companies collected by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority is a significant source of non-tax revenue for the federal government.

    “The government received Rs 35.2 billion from Jazz and US$ 224.6 million from Telenor in partial settlement for their cellular license renewal,” Dr. Hafeez Shaikh, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance, said in a twitter message.

    “Good news for the telecom industry and revenue collection of the federal government,” he added.

    Due to stay orders given by the apex court, the collection of this renewal fee from two telecom companies which was budgeted in previous fiscal year had been delayed.

    However, with the efforts of the Adviser to Prime Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, his team led by Secretary Finance and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, due payment from the two companies has now been received by the government.

  • Pakistan, Saudi Customs to exchange intelligence based information

    Pakistan, Saudi Customs to exchange intelligence based information

    ISLAMABAD: The customs authorities of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to further explore intelligence based information to strengthen mutual cooperation.

    A five-member delegation of Saudi Customs Authority visited Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), to discuss various matters of mutual interest and assistance, a statement said on Tuesday.

    The Saudi Customs delegation was headed by Muhammad AlNuaim, Deputy Governor of Security Affairs. Pakistani side was headed by Shabbar Raza Zaidi, Chairman, FBR.

    Muhammad Javed Ghani, Member (Customs-Policy), Jawwad Uwais Agha (Member-Operations) and other senior officers of Pakistan customs also participated in the meeting.

    Both sides shared their experiences in law enforcement domain and further explored avenues of future cooperation in following areas of mutual interest:

    1. Exchange of Information, on real time basis, between both countries regarding values of goods originating from both countries;

    2. Exchange of intelligence based information to effectively control illicit flow of currency;

    3. Development of authorized economic cooperation program between both countries;

    4. Profiling of advance passenger information;

    5. Cooperation between Saudi Customs and Pakistani Customs in order to arrest the senders and recipients of drugs;

    6. Exchange of post seizure and arrest investigations;

    7. Designation of contact officers for mutual cooperation;

    8. Capacity building for automation/harmonization of customs procedures.

    It was underscored that the menace of narcotics, smuggling and under invoicing/over invoicing are the primary sources of illicit financial flows (IFFs) which is inherently a global phenomenon.

    It was mutually agreed that no country can cope with these cross border challenges without ensuring international cooperation.

    Therefore, there is a dire need for both brotherly countries to support each other by all possible means of cooperation through international forums as well as Customs to Customs Cooperation under Mutual Assistance Agreements.

    AlNuaim expressed that the Saudi government give great value to its brotherly relations with the government of Pakistan.

    He informed that the Saudi government has recently introduced new monetary limits on currency which so far are not well known to the visitors from Pakistan.

    He requested to share this information by launching a public awareness campaign in this regard.

    Javed Ghani, Member (Customs-Policy) ensured cooperation and informed that the control of currency smuggling is one of the prime priorities of present regime.

    Therefore, declaration of currency has now been made mandatory and FBR has taken various legal and administrative actions to improve interdictory regime against currency smuggling.

    Jawwad Uwais Agha gave brief details of the National Single Window (NSW) and told the delegates that this initiative provides a complete framework for intra agency cooperation in Pakistan.

    The delegation was apprised that at national level, Risk Based Mitigation Secretary (RBMS) has been evolved after taking due input from all stake holder agencies including Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Anti Narcotics Force, Airport Security Force and Pakistan Customs.

    Under RBMS, a totally new institutional apparatus has been setup with a dedicated Directorate, namely, Cross Border Currency Movement (CBMC) within the Directorate General of Customs Intelligence & Investigation to address the risks of cash smuggling.

    This measure has turned out very successful as in FY 2018-2019 total 487 million rupees were seized under its intelligence sharing against 157 million rupees in the FY 2017-2018.

    The Saudi delegation appreciated these efforts and showed keen interest in the project of National Single Window, National Targeting Centre and Advance Passenger Information Systems (APIS).

    Both sides unanimously agreed that there exists huge scope for enhanced cooperation between both the countries which will help them to address a wide range of problems originating from currency smuggling, narcotics and mis-declarations.

  • User manual in Urdu language for income tax registration

    User manual in Urdu language for income tax registration

    KARACHI: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued user manual in Urdu language for income tax registration.

    The FBR anticipates large number of new taxpayers will file tax returns for tax year 2019.

    The user guideline will help new return filers to get registration in steps.

    Following is the registration procedure for new taxpayer:

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  • Floating rate of PIBs to be auctioned: SBP

    Floating rate of PIBs to be auctioned: SBP

    KARACHI: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Tuesday announced that floating rate of Pakistan Investment Bonds (PIBs) will be auctioned.

    The central bank sand that it had issued detailed guidelines on May 07, 2018 through a notification under which details of Floating Rate PIBs have been specified.

    Government of Pakistan (GOP) has decided that Floating Rate PIBs may also be auctioned as re-opening of previously issued Floating Rate PIBs.

    The re-opening auction mechanism of Floating Rate PIBs will be as under:

    Re-opening auctions of Floating Rate PIBs will be conducted through uniform price competitive bidding auction process.

    PDs will submit competitive bids in terms of price (up to four decimal points).

    The cut-off price, at which GOP decides to accept bids, in the re-opening auction will apply uniformly to all accepted bids.

    Coupon rate on Floating Rate PIBs offered in re-opening auctions will be the same as determined in the first auction of respective issue of the bond and reset at the start of each coupon period, in accordance with instructions issued vide DMMD Circular no 16 of 2019.

    The successful bidders will make the settlement on settlement date at the amount calculated as per accepted price plus accrued interest for the number of days lapsed since start of the coupon period based on respective coupon rate.

    All other auction rules and procedures will remain the same.

    All other instructions on the subject will remain unchanged.