Month: September 2019

  • KSE-100 falls by 248 points on selling pressure

    KSE-100 falls by 248 points on selling pressure

    KARACHI: The stock market fell 248 points on Tuesday on selling pressure at the closing.

    The benchmark KSE-100 index closed at 29,810 points as against 30,057 points showing a decline of 248 points.

    Analysts at Arif Habib Limited said that the market opened on a positive note today with 25 points and extended gains till 190 points after which selling activity caused the index to plunge by 318 points.

    Last half hour of market kept the selling pressure, ending the session with -248 points. OGDC, PPL performed well earlier in the session and showed gains over yesterday’s closing, however, profit booking caused the stocks to retreat with a closure below LDCP.

    Other than E&P, Cement, Fertilizer and Banking sector added fuel to selling pressure.

    Cement sector led the volumes table with 11 million shares, followed by Technology (9.2 million) and E&P (4.7 million).

    Among scrips, MLCF garnered 6.2 million shares, followed by WTL (4.5 million) and UNITY (4.2 million).

    Sectors contributing to the performance include Banks (-70 points), Cement (-49 points), Power (-41 points), E&P (-21 points), and Pharma (-19 points).

    Volumes declined further from 77.4 million shares to 63.9 million (-17 percent DoD). Average traded value also declined by 6 percent to reach US$ 15.6 million as against US$ 16.5 million.

    Stocks that contributed significantly to the volumes include MLCF, WTL, UNITY, TRG and OGDC, which formed 34 percent of total volumes.

    Stocks that contributed positively include SNGP (+8 points), NML (+7 points), MUREB (+6 points), AICL (+6 points) and DAWH (+5 points). Stocks that contributed negatively include HUBC (-35 points), LUCK (-31 points), MCB (-26 points), PPL (-20 points), and MEBL (-14 points).

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  • Rupee ends unchanged

    Rupee ends unchanged

    KARACHI: The Pak Rupee ended unchanged against dollar on Tuesday amid demand for import and corporate payments.

    The rupee ended Rs156.63 to the dollar, same previous day’s closing in interbank foreign exchange market.

    Currency experts said that the rupee value was stable despite demand for import and corporate payments.

    The foreign currency market was initiated in the range between Rs156.50 and Rs156.70. The market recorded day high of Rs156.76 and low of Rs156.55 in interbank foreign exchange market.

    The exchange rate in open market also witnessed no change in value of the local currency.

    The buying and selling of dollar was recorded at Rs156.20/Rs156.70, same previous day’s level, in cash ready market.

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  • Countdown begins for tax year 2019 return filing

    Countdown begins for tax year 2019 return filing

    KARACHI: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has given less than a month to taxpayers for filing income tax return and wealth statements for tax year 2019.

    The FBR on Monday issued finalized income tax return forms form salaried persons, business individuals and Association of Persons (AOPs).

    The last date for filing income tax returns and wealth statement for such segments of taxpayers is September 30, 2019.

    The last date for filing of income tax returns by salaried persons has been amended through Finance Act, 2019 to September 30, 2019 from August 31, 2019.

    These taxpayers have a time of 28 days to comply with the statutory requirement under Section 118 of Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.

    Corporate entities having accounting year ending any time between the first day of January and the thirtieth day of June are required to file income tax returns on or before the thirty-first day of December next following the end of the tax year to which the return relates.

    In any other case, on or before the thirtieth day of September next following the end of the tax year to which the return relates.

    However, the corporate returns are still in draft format and FBR likely to issue finalized return form for companies by this week.

    According to Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 every resident taxpayer being an individual filing a return of income for any tax year shall furnish a wealth statement and wealth reconciliation statement for that year along with such return:

    It also explained that every member of an association of persons is also required to furnish wealth statement and wealth reconciliation statement for the year along with return of income of the association.

    For tax year 2019, every resident taxpayer being an individual having foreign income of not less than ten thousand United States dollars or having foreign assets with a value of not less than one hundred thousand United States dollars shall furnish a statement, hereinafter referred to as the foreign income and assets statement, in the prescribed form and verified in the prescribed manner giving particulars of—

    (a) the person’s total foreign assets and liabilities as on the last day of the tax year;

    (b) any foreign assets transferred by the person to any other person during the tax year and the consideration for the said transfer; and

    (c) complete particulars of foreign income, the expenditure derived during the tax year and the expenditure wholly and necessarily for the purposes of deriving the said income.

    Under Section 114 of Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 following persons are required to furnish a return of income for a tax year, namely:–

    (a) every company;

    (ab) every person (other than a company) whose taxable income for the year exceeds the maximum amount that is not chargeable to tax under this Ordinance for the year;

    (ac) any non-profit organization as defined in clause (36) of section 2;

    (ad) any welfare institution approved under clause (58) of Part I of the Second Schedule;

    (b) any person not covered by clause (a), (ab), (ac) or (ad) who,—

    (i) has been charged to tax in respect of any of the two preceding tax years;

    (ii) claims a loss carried forward under this Ordinance for a tax year;

    (iii) owns immovable property with a land area of two hundred and fifty square yards or more or owns any flat located in areas falling within the municipal limits existing immediately before the commencement of Local Government laws in the provinces; or areas in a Cantonment; or the Islamabad Capital Territory;

    (iv) owns immoveable property with a land area of five hundred square yards or more located in a rating area;

    (v) owns a flat having covered area of two thousand square feet or more located in a rating area;

    (vi) owns a motor vehicle having engine capacity above 1000 CC;

    (vii) has obtained National Tax Number; or

    (viii) is the holder of commercial or industrial connection of electricity where the amount of annual bill exceeds rupees five hundred thousand;

    (ix) is a resident person registered with any chamber of commerce and industry or any trade or business association or any market committee or any professional body including Pakistan Engineering Council, Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, Pakistan Bar Council or any Provincial Bar Council, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan or Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan; or

    (x) every resident person being an individual required to file foreign income and assets statement under section 116A.

    (1A) Every individual whose income under the head ‘Income from business’ exceeds rupees three hundred thousand but does not exceed rupees four hundred thousand in a tax year is also required to furnish return of income from the tax year.

    (2) A return of income –

    (a) shall be in the prescribed form and shall be accompanied by such annexures, statements or documents as may be prescribed;

    (b) shall fully state all the relevant particulars or information as specified in the form of return, including a declaration of the records kept by the taxpayer;

    (c) shall be signed by the person, being an individual, or the person’s representative where section 172 applies;

    (d) shall be accompanied with evidence of payment of due tax as per return of income;

    (e) shall be accompanied with a wealth statement as required under section 116; and

    (f) shall be accompanied with a foreign income and assets statement as required under section 116A.

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  • FBR issues first batch of e-refund

    FBR issues first batch of e-refund

    ISLAMABAD: The first payment through Fully Automated Sales Tax e-Refund (FASTER) module, against the refund claims for the tax period July, 2019, has been made on Monday September 02, 2019, and the State Bank of Pakistan has confirmed the credit of the refund amount in the bank account of the claimant, said a press release issued by Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

    It is highlighted that only nine refund claims of five exporter-oriented sectors were received by Friday, the 30th August, 2019, and the payment has been made against the claim that was cleared by the risk management system of FASTER module.

    It is added that the number of refund claims received is not significant. FBR encourages the exporters to submit their claims in form Annex-H at the earliest so that their claims can be processed and paid.

    In consequence of rescission of SRO 1125(I)/2011 dated 31.12.2011, which allowed zero-rating of inputs of five export-oriented sectors, Federal Board of Revenue had committed with the exporters of the said sectors, i.e. textiles, leather, carpets, sports goods and surgical goods, that refunds shall be paid to them within 72 hours of filing of refund claim.

    FBR has earlier clarified that submission of Annex-H, which is a form in the monthly sales tax return, shall be treated as submission of refund claim.

    For this purpose, FBR has developed a new IT module known as FASTER (Fully Automated Sales Tax e-Refund) and the same has been operationalized.

    This module shall process claims of exporters of five export-oriented sectors for the tax period July, 2019, and onwards.

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    Govt. decides immediate release of Rs22 billion tax refunds: Dr. Hafeez Shaikh

  • Govt. decides immediate release of Rs22 billion tax refunds: Dr. Hafeez Shaikh

    Govt. decides immediate release of Rs22 billion tax refunds: Dr. Hafeez Shaikh

    ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to released tax refunds amounting Rs22 billion immediately for the promotion of economic activities, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance said in a twitter message on Monday.

    According to him the government had taken important decision on tax refunds for the promotion of economic activities in the country and to provide liquidity support to businesses.

    He said that it was decided to issue Rs22 billion of verified sales tax refunds for all years to be released immediately.

    Further, Rs1.7 billion of income tax returns (up to Rs100,000) for all years to be released immediately.

    The verification process for other outstanding refunds to be expedited, he said.

    He also announced that income tax refunds between Rs1 billion to Rs5 billion for all years will be paid next month.

  • FBR issues final return forms tax year 2019 for salary persons, business individuals

    FBR issues final return forms tax year 2019 for salary persons, business individuals

    The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has taken a significant step towards concluding the tax assessment process for the year 2019 by issuing the final return forms for salaried individuals, business entities, and Associations of Persons (AOPs).

    (more…)
  • Stock market gains 385 points amid fault at opening

    Stock market gains 385 points amid fault at opening

    KARACHI: The stock market gained 385 points on Monday after witnessing technical fault at the opening of trading.

    The benchmark KSE-100 index of Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) closed at 30,057 points as against 29,672 points showing an increase of 385 points.

    Analysts at Arif Habib Limited said that after encountering a technical glitch at start, the index progressed well during the day, led by across the board buying activity in E&P, Banks, Cement and Steel Sectors.

    The main reason behind the surge in index can be attributed to resolution a host of measures approved by SECP over the weekend that helped investors take a positive view on equities.

    Besides, expectation of lower inflation reading going forward that hints of reduction in SBP policy rate.

    Overall, the index went high by 506 points during the session and although receded later but rebounded market close.

    Sectors contributing to the performance include Commercial Banks (+130 points), E&P (+71 points), OGMC (+37 points) and Fertilizer (+35 points).

    Volumes decreased from 110 million shares to 77.4 million shares. Average traded value decreased by 34.7 percent to reach $16.5 million as against $25.3 million.

    Stocks that contributed significantly to the volumes include WTL, MLCF, OGDC, KEL and TRG, which formed 39 percent of total volumes.

    Stocks that contributed positively include PPL (+46 points), BAHL (+32 points), FFC (+27 points), UBL (+26 points) and HBL (+23 points). Stocks that contributed negatively include THALL (-8 points), MUREB (-7 points), MTL (-3 points), HASCOL (-3 points) and MARI (-2 points).

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  • Rupee gains 23 paisas on improved inflows

    Rupee gains 23 paisas on improved inflows

    KARACHI: The Pak Rupee appreciated 23 paisas against dollar on Monday owing to improved inflows of remittances and export receipts.

    The rupee ended Rs156.63 to the dollar from previous last Friday’s closing of Rs156.86 in interbank foreign exchange market.

    Currency experts said that the rupee value was improved on inflows of remittances and export receipts.

    The foreign currency market was initiated in the range between Rs156.40 and Rs156.55. The market recorded day high of Rs156.70 and low of Rs156.45 in interbank foreign exchange market.

    The exchange rate in open market also witnessed 30 paisas appreciation in value of the local currency.

    The buying and selling of dollar was recorded at Rs156.20/Rs156.70 from last Friday’s closing of Rs156.50/Rs157.00 in cash ready market.

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  • FBR explains treatment of duty, taxes on goods imported under foreign trade agreements

    FBR explains treatment of duty, taxes on goods imported under foreign trade agreements

    The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has provided comprehensive details regarding the taxes for goods imported under trade agreements with foreign countries.

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  • MCC Port Qasim surpasses revenue collection target for August 2019

    MCC Port Qasim surpasses revenue collection target for August 2019

    KARACHI: Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Port Muhammad Bin Qasim has surpassed revenue collection target for the month of August 2019.

    The collectorate collected Rs56 billion during August 2019, three percent higher than the target of Rs54.3 billion.

    The collection is also 17 percent higher when compared with Rs46.65 billion collected in August 2018, according to a press release issued by the collectorate on Sunday.

    The break-up of collection revealed that the collection of customs duty posted 15 percent growth to Rs18 billion during the month under review as compared with Rs15.2 billion in the same month of the last year.

    Similarly, in the same period the collection of sale tax increased to Rs32.47 billion as compared with Rs25.8 billion. Besides the collection of federal excise duty has increased to Rs393 million from Rs345 million.

    The collection of advance income tax at import stage increased to Rs5.6 billion in August 2019 as compared with Rs5.2 billion in the same month of the last year.

    Commenting on the revenue collection performance, Mumtaz Ali Khoso, collector of MCC Port Muhammd Bin Qasim said that the collection was impressive despite steep decline in imports.

    He lauded the leadership of Chairman of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Syed Muhammad Shabbar Zaidi, Member Customs-Operations Dr. Jawwad Uwais Agha and Chief Collector (Appraisement-South), Kharachi Ms. Suraiya Ahmed Butt.

    He also lauded the efforts of his team of officers and staff in achieving the revenue target and expressed the resolve to achieve the remaining revenue target for the current financial year.

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