Month: September 2019

  • Container scanning charges abolished: Ali Zaidi

    Container scanning charges abolished: Ali Zaidi

    KARACHI: Syed Ali Haider Zaidi, Minister for Maritime Affairs, on Saturday said the container scanning charges has been abolished in order to reduce the cost of the industry.

    He was addressing the members of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI).

    Zaidi said that the terminal operators had been scanning charging at $5 on each container handling. “The terminal operators were charging this amount from all the containers irrespective of scanning or no scanning,” he added.

    The minister said the terminal had been stopped from charging this on those containers which were not scanned.

    The minister also said that he had opposed to collect fuel freight charges on supplies to Karachi city. He said that all the petroleum products imported at Karachi ports and then supplied to other parts of the country.

    Ali Zaidi said that he had openly opposed to this levy in order to facilitate people and the industry.

    He said that land transfer of Port Qasim and KPT had been stopped till the audit of already allotted lands.

    He disclosed that there was huge corruption in land allotments of port lands.

  • Weekly Review: Market likely to stay in positive territory on narrow trade deficit, stable forex reserves

    Weekly Review: Market likely to stay in positive territory on narrow trade deficit, stable forex reserves

    KARACHI: The stock market may move in positive territory next week owing to narrow trade deficit and stable foreign exchange reserves.

    Analysts at Arif Habib Limited said that the market to be positive during the coming week.

    “With the trade deficit narrowing and foreign reserves stabilizing investor sentiment is likely to be positive,” they added.

    KSE-100 index commenced on a negative note this week, with SBP forecasting the inflation to remain high for the next two years.

    Moreover the ADB projected a slowdown in the economy which kept the sentiment weak. However, the recent improvement on the macro-economic front cushioned the dip and positive news flow from the US regarding the Kashmir issue uplifted sentiments on Friday. The index closed at 32,070 points (-40 points WoW).

    Sector-wise negative contributions came from i) Commercial Banks (122 points), ii) Power Generation & Distribution (24 points), iii) Chemical (21 points), iv) Pharmaceuticals (14 points), and v) Automobile Parts & Accessories (13 points). Scrip-wise negative contributions were led by HBL (67 points), HUBC (56 points), UBL (29 points), SEARL (27 points) and NBP (23 points).

    Foreign selling was witnessed this week clocking-in at USD 8.8 million compared to a net buy of USD 7.8 million last week. Selling was witnessed in Cement (USD 2.4 million) and Commercial Banks (USD 2.2 million).

    On the domestic front, major selling was reported by Banks/DFIs (USD 6.7 million) and Broker Proprietary Trading (USD 6.2mn). Average Volumes settled at 108 million shares (down by 12 percent WoW) while average value traded clocked-in at USD 25 million (down by 24 percent WoW).

  • FBR explains benefits of timely filing income tax returns

    FBR explains benefits of timely filing income tax returns

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has explained benefits of filing annual income tax returns for tax year 2019 by due date i.e. September 30, 2019.

    The FBR in its ongoing campaign for encouraging people to file their income tax returns by due date highlighted advantages of filing by due date and also pointed out disadvantages of non-compliance.

    The FBR said that for not filing the return by due date the person/company will be charged withholding tax at double rates; FBR will assess the applicable tax without serving any notice; legal action will be taken resulting into imprisonment of one to three years; fine will be charged on late submission of income tax return.

    By filing the income tax returns by due date i.e. September 30, a person/company shall be enlisted to Active Taxpayers List (ATL). The following are the benefits of ATL enlistment:

    — Almost half of the withholding tax as compared with the inactive taxpayers

    — 5.5 percent tax on imports (raw material)

    — 6 percent on imports (commercial)

    — 15 percent tax on dividends

    — 10 percent tax on bank and saving scheme profit worth up to Rs0.5 million and 15 percent on above Rs0.5 million

    — 4.5 percent tax on sale of goods by persons except companies

    — 10 percent tax on provision of services by persons except companies

    — 7.5 percent tax on contracts executed by person except companies

    — 15 percent tax on prize money of prize bonds

    — 12 percent tax on commission

    — Annual token fee of vehicles from Rs800 to Rs10,000

    — Withholding tax on vehicle registration from Rs7,500 to Rs250,000

    — No tax on cash withdrawal of more than Rs50,000 from banks

    — No tax on bank transactions (cross cheque, pay order, demand draft etc.)

    — One percent tax on purchase of property

    — 10 percent tax on sale by auction

    — Tax on mobile phone import from Rs70 to Rs200

    — 10 percent tax deduction for payment against advertisement to non-resident person.

    The FBR also highlighted drawback in shape of double rate of tax on following transactions in case of not filing return by due date:

    — Almost double tax rate

    — 11 percent tax on imports (raw material)

    — 12 percent on imports (commercial)

    — 30 percent tax on dividends

    — 20 percent tax on bank and saving scheme profit worth up to Rs0.5 million and 30 percent on above Rs0.5 million

    — 9 percent tax on sale of goods by persons except companies

    — 20 percent tax on provision of services by persons except companies

    — 15 percent tax on contracts executed by person except companies

    — 30 percent tax on prize money of prize bonds

    — 24 percent tax on commission

    — Annual token fee of vehicles from Rs1600 to Rs20,000

    — Withholding tax on vehicle registration from Rs15,000 to Rs500,000

    — 0.6 percent tax on cash withdrawal of more than Rs50,000 from banks

    — 0.6 percent tax on bank transactions (cross cheque, pay order, demand draft etc.)

    — Two percent tax on purchase of property

    — 20 percent tax on sale by auction

    — Tax on mobile phone import from Rs140 to Rs400

    — 20 percent tax deduction for payment against advertisement to non-resident person.

  • FBR attaches Benami properties worth Rs4 billion; issues 104 notices

    FBR attaches Benami properties worth Rs4 billion; issues 104 notices

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Friday said that it has attached Benami properties worth Rs4 billion in 15 cases.

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  • Banks directed to adopt standard QR codes for payments in Pakistan

    Banks directed to adopt standard QR codes for payments in Pakistan

    KARACHI: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has directed all commercial banks and other financial institutions to adopt EMVCo’s EMV QR Code Specifications for Payment Systems (QRCPS).

    The SBP said that Quick Response (QR) Codes have been emerging as low cost payment acceptance alternative to Point of Sale (POS) terminals in Pakistan, especially for small merchants.

    Although QR codes have been deployed in substantial numbers, the volume of transactions has not achieved desired levels primarily due to their lack of interoperability.

    Therefore, as a first step towards achieving interoperability of Payment QR Codes in Pakistan, SBP after extensive stakeholder consultations has decided that henceforth all Institutions issuing and/or acquiring QR codes for payments in Pakistan shall adopt EMVCo’s EMV QR Code Specifications for Payment Systems (QRCPS).

    Further, non-EMV QR Codes already deployed in Pakistan shall comply with this standard by 31st March, 2020.

    The SBP said that institutions issuing/acquiring QR Codes shall also ensure:

    Compliance with branding guidelines for QR Codes displayed at merchant locations (attached at Annexure-A).

    Data related to issuance and usage of QR codes, as per Annexure-B, is submitted on quarterly basis to Payment Systems Department (PSD) within a fortnight of quarter end.

    Compliance of SBP’s instructions, guidelines, rules and regulations on Consumer Protection and Dispute Resolution issued and amended from time to time.
    Further, institutions acquiring QR Codes are also encouraged to:

    Promote innovative uses of QR codes like invoice/challan based payments, branch based Inter-bank Fund Transfers (IBFT) etc.; and

    Plan for achieving inter scheme interoperability in due course of time.

  • FBR issues instructions for filing income tax returns, wealth statement

    FBR issues instructions for filing income tax returns, wealth statement

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Friday issued manual for filing income tax return and wealth statement for tax year 2019.

    The FBR issued SRO 1160(I)/2019 dated September 27, 2019 to notify instructions for filing annual income returns and wealth statement.

    The FBR also issued manual paper return forms for individuals. The form has been issued just three days ahead of due date.

    The FBR made amendment to SRO 979(I)/2019 dated September 02, 2019 through the latest SRO.

    The instructions issued for filing in return form and wealth statement, the FBR said:

    The following persons are required to furnish a return of income for a tax year:

    (a) Every company;

    (b) Every person (other than a company) whose taxable income for the year exceeds PKR 400,000;

    (c) Every non-profit organization as defined in clause (36) of section 2;

    (d) Every welfare institution approved under clause (58) of Part I of the Second Schedule;

    (e) Every person who has been charged to tax in respect of any of the two preceding tax years;

    (f) Every person who claims a loss carried forward under this Ordinance for a tax year;

    (g) Every person who 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;

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

    (i) Every person who owns a flat having covered area of two thousand square feet or more located in a rating area;

    (j) Every person who owns a motor vehicle having engine capacity above 1000 CC;

    (k) Every person who has obtained National Tax Number;

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

    (m) Every person who is 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;

    (n) Every individual whose income under the head Business exceeds PKR 300,000 but does not exceed PKR 400,000 in a tax year.

    (o) Every individual & AOP deriving property income exceeding Rs. 200,000

    According to the general instructions, the FBR said that the following errors / omissions shall render a Return invalid & make the taxpayer a non-filer & liable to penalty under section 182(1):

    (a) Return on which CNIC is missing or incorrect or invalid;

    (b) Return on which mandatory fields marked by * are empty;

    (c) Return which is not signed by the Taxpayer or his Representative (as defined in section 172 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001);

    (d) Return which is not filed in the prescribed Form;

    (e) Return which is not filed in the prescribed mode.

    Individuals deriving income under the head Property, Capital Gains & Other Sources (excluding Salary / Business) & Income subject to fixed / final tax have to file one page Return in IT-1B Form with Annex-A, Annex-F & Wealth Statement if required to be filed.

    Individuals deriving income under the head business or falling under Final Tax Regime (FTR) such as Commercial Importers, Exporters, Contractors, etc. have to file two page Return in IT-2 Form with Annex-A, Annex-B, Annex-F & Wealth Statement if required to be filed. Annex C, Annex-D & Annex-E are required only where Depreciation / Amortization, Admissible / Inadmissible Deductions & Minimum Tax Chargeable / Option out of Presumptive Tax Regime are involved.

    Individuals, including members of AOPs or directors of Companies must file Wealth Statement.

    Taxpayers may file Return of Total Income / Statement of Final Taxation & Wealth Statement through the following modes:

    Electronically at FBR Portal (https://iris.fbr.gov.pk/infosys/public/txplogin.xhtml) which is mandatory for all Companies, AOPs, Sales Tax Registered Persons, Refund Claimants, Individuals having income under the head Salary and Individuals declaring taxable income of one million and more or turnover or receipts exceeding fifty million.

    However, all others are also encouraged to electronically file Return; Manually on paper at Taxpayer Facilitation Counter of the respective Regional Tax Office. Paper Return Form can be downloaded from FBR Website http://www.fbr.gov.pk.

    Taxpayers may seek guidance through the following modes:

    By calling Helpline 0800 00 227, 051 111-227-227

    By visiting the nearest Taxpayer Facilitation Centre (TFC), list of which can be downloaded from FBR website at http://www.fbr.gov.pk

    Tax can be paid in any authorized branch of NBP & SBP at any time before filing of return. List of authorized braches of NBP & SBP can be downloaded from http://www.fbr.gov.pk.

    Only Foreign Income (Not Loss) should be declared.

    Only Agriculture Income (Not Loss) should be declared.

    Tax Credits include Tax Credits for the following:

    Share in Taxed Income from AOP;

    Charitable Donations u/s 61;

    Investment in Shares of Public Companies listed on a Stock Exchange in Pakistan (only for Original Allottee other than a Company) u/s 62;

    Life Insurance Premium (only for Resident Individual deriving income from Salary / Business) u/s 62;

    Contribution to Approved Pension Fund (only for Pakistani Individual registered with FBR / NADRA deriving income from Salary / Business) u/s 63;

    Annex-E Taxpayers wanting to opt out of Final Tax Regime (FTR) u/c (56B), (56C), (56D), (56E), (56F), (56G), Part IV, Second Schedule, must file Annex-E.

    Annex-F: Only Personal / Household (Non-Business) expenses should be declared.

    Annex-F: Expenses borne by more than one person must be declared in total by each person.

    For example, if in one family more than one member is contributing to expenses or if more than one family is living jointly & within each family more than one member is contributing to expenses, total expenses under each head must be declared by each member of each family filing his wealth statement & then contribution by other family members be deducted to arrive at own contribution.

    Instructions related to Wealth Statement

    If rows provided in any segment are inadequate, additional rows may be inserted.

    All assets must be delared at cost, including ancillary expenses.

    If an asset is acquired under a Hire Purchase Agreement, total price should be declared as asset under the appropriate head & balance payable amount should be declared as liability.

    If Wealth Statement is filed for the first time, separate Reconciliation Statement must be filed for each previous year.

    Equipment, Plant, Machinery (Non-Business) must be declared with description, for example, Generator, Tubewell, Harvestor, Tractor, Trolley, etc.

    Assets created, whether in Pakistan or abroad, in the name of spouse(s), children & other dependents should be declared only if acquired by them with funds provided by you (Benami Assets).

    A separate column for assets held outside Pakistan has been added wherein any/all assets held abroad are to be declared at cost in Pak Rupee Value.

  • Share market gains 637 points on major buying activities

    Share market gains 637 points on major buying activities

    KARACHI: The share market gained 637 points on Friday owing to significant buying activities during the day.

    The benchmark KSE-100 index of Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) closed at 32,071 points as against 31,434 points showing an increase of 637 points (+2 percent DoD).

    Analysts at Arif Habib Limited said that the market opened on a positive note with +94 points although volume at start was very low.

    By the end of first session, the benchmark index grew by 261 points posting a volume of 36.9 million shares.

    Second session saw significant jump in both volumes and points with an overall volume of 134.5 million shares and index surging by 650 points.

    Besides oil chain (E&P, OMCs, Refinery), buying activity was observed in Cement sector (which had expectation of increase in Cement prices in North) and also in the Banking sector.

    Cement sector led the volumes with 22.7 million shares (courtesy of MLCF (13.1 million) & DGKC (3.4 million)), followed by Banks (20.9 million) and Power (20.8 million).

    Among Banks, BOP traded the most with 14.4 million shares and Power sector had KEL with 17.6 million shares.

    Sectors contributing to the performance include Banks (+182 points), E&P (+136 points), Power (+61 points), Fertilizer (+57 points) and Cement (+49 points).

    Volumes increased from 124.5 million shares to 135.1 million shares (+9 percent DoD). Average traded value also increased by 20 percent to reach US$ 27.2 million as against US$ 22.6 million.

    Stocks that contributed significantly to the volumes include KEL, BOP, MLCF, WTL and PAEL, which formed 44 percent of total volumes.

    Stocks that contributed positively include HBL (+74 points), OGDC (+51 points), UBL (+46 points), PPL (+45 points) and HUBC (+39 points). Stocks that contributed negatively include AGIL (-2 points), THALL (-2 points), COLG (-1 points), SYS (-1 points), and BWCL (-1 points).

  • FBR to launch new audit framework next week: Shabbar Zaidi

    FBR to launch new audit framework next week: Shabbar Zaidi

    Syed Shabbar Zaidi, Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), revealed on Friday that a new audit framework is set to be introduced next week, aiming to streamline tax procedures and enhance ease of compliance for taxpayers.

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  • Rupee gains one paisa amid higher dollar demand

    Rupee gains one paisa amid higher dollar demand

    KARACHI: The rupee gained one paisa against dollar on Friday amid higher demand for import and corporate payments.

    The rupee ended Rs156.18 to the dollar from previous day’s closing of Rs156.19 in interbank foreign exchange market.

    Currency dealers said that due to next weekly holidays the demand of dollar was higher for import and corporate payments. Higher demand depreciated the rupee value in earlier day trade. However, inflows of export receipts and remittances helped the local currency to recover value later in the day.

    The foreign currency market was initiated in the range of Rs156.18 and Rs156.23. The market recorded day high of Rs156.26 and low of Rs156.18 and closed at Rs156.18.

    The exchange rate in open market witnessed stable value of the local currency. The buying and selling of dollar was recorded at Rs155.80/Rs156.30, the same previous day’s level in cash ready market.

  • Inland Revenue offices to remain open on September 28

    Inland Revenue offices to remain open on September 28

    Islamabad, September 27, 2019 – The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has announced that the offices of Inland Revenue will remain open on Saturday, September 28, 2019.

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