The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has fortified its ability to gather information on incomes from industrial and commercial undertakings exempt from tax.
(more…)Author: Hamza Shahnawaz
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FBR mulls reducing more withholding tax provisions
ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is considering to withdraw more withholding tax provisions as it has already abolished a number of provisions.
The FBR said it is contemplating reduction in number of withholding tax lines without compromising the documentation contribution of these taxes. “Nine withholding taxes have already been abolished and further reduction is under consideration,” the FBR said in a report..
The FBR aims at re-designing the tax system on ideal principles of taxation, which, inter alia, includes moving towards taxation of net profits under income tax and subjecting all taxable supplies to standard sales tax regime. The initiative involves removal of tax distortions, unnecessary exemptions, tax reductions, zero rating etc. Major guiding principles of tax policy include:-
Corporate income tax reforms—- removal of redundant tax credits, accelerated depreciation, exemptions, reduced rates, exemption from specific provisions etc. This aspect has already been completed by promulgation of Tax Laws (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 2021.
Personal Income Tax Reforms—- removal of unnecessary exemptions and rationalization of tax rates and reduction of tax slabs to simplify tax procedures for swift and hassle-free compliance.
Rationalization of minimum taxes— FBR is rationalizing presumptive and minimum tax regimes in an effort to realize revenue according to the actual potential of taxpayers.
Removal of procedural complications in tax compliance— Complexities in tax procedures are being removed in order to facilitate compliance.
Removal of anomalies in General Sales Tax on goods—- This involves removal of unnecessary exemptions, reduced rates, zero rating, special tax regimes. The broad guideline is that exemptions / concessions available to all goods except essential food items, health and education related goods are to be reviewed.
Sales tax harmonization —- FBR is pursuing sales tax harmonization with the provincial revenue authorities which includes common definition of goods and services, common minimum threshold, harmonized tax rates, single portal and single sales tax return. The initiative is-expected to complete in medium term.
Promoting ease of doing business— Cognizant of difficulties faced by taxpayers in making tax compliance, FBR is introducing such facilitating measures as making CNIC as the unique identifier for all taxes administered by FBR, harmonization of valuation table for immovable properties with provinces and establishing one-window operations at various compliance levels.
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PKR touches new historic low at Rs169.12 against dollar
KARACHI: The Pak Rupee (PKR) fell to make another historic low against the dollar in interbank foreign exchange market on Wednesday.
The rupee ended Rs169.12 to the dollar from the previous day’s closing of Rs168.94 in the interbank foreign exchange market.
The rupee made a historic low a day earlier at Rs168.94 to the dollar. But the local unit failed to stop depreciation in its value and fell to make a new low against the dollar at Rs169.12 on September 15, 2021.
Currency experts said that the market had witnessed higher dollar demand for import and corporate payments.
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Commissioner can hire translator for documents
Section 179 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 grants the Commissioner the authority to enlist translators for documents not in the Urdu or English language.
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Exchange rates in PKR vs other currencies on Sept 15
KARACHI: Following are the exchange rates of foreign currencies in Pak Rupee (PKR) on September 15, 2021: The rates are updated at 10.01 AM.
Currency Buying Selling Australian Dollar 122 124 Bahrain Dinar 386.5 388.5 Canadian Dollar 134 136 China Yuan 23.65 23.8 Danish Krone 23.35 23.65 Euro 198 200 Hong Kong Dollar 16.55 16.8 Indian Rupee 2.03 2.1 Japanese Yen 1.41 1.44 Kuwaiti Dinar 481.85 484.4 Malaysian Ringgit 36.65 37 NewZealand $ 96.35 97.05 Norwegians Krone 17.5 17.75 Omani Riyal 392.7 394.7 Qatari Riyal 39.6 40.2 Saudi Riyal 45 45.5 Singapore Dollar 123 125 Swedish Korona 18 18.25 Swiss Franc 159.5 160.4 Thai Bhat 4.8 4.9 U.A.E Dirham 46.5 47 UK Pound Sterling 232.5 235 US Dollar 168.9 169.8 Disclaimer: Team PKRevenue.com provides the available rates of the open market, which are subject to change every hour. Team PKRevenue.com provides the available exchange rates at the time of posting the story. So the team is not responsible for any inaccuracy of the data.
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PKR ends down by eight paisas against dollar
KARACHI: The Pak Rupee (PKR) depreciated by eight paisas against the dollar on Monday due to higher demand for import and corporate payments.
The rupee ended Rs168.10 to the dollar from last Friday’s closing at Rs168.02 in the interbank foreign exchange market.
Currency experts said that the market witnessed dollar demand during the day for import and corporate payments.
They said that the ballooning trade deficit and subsequent widening of the current account deficit kept pressure on the exchange rate.
The experts said the country needs to encourage inflows of the foreign currency to support the local currency.
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Foreign exchange rates on September 13, 2021
KARACHI: Following are the exchange rates of foreign currencies in Pak Rupee (PKR) on September 13, 2021:
Currency Buying Selling Australian Dollar 122.7 124.7 Bahrain Dinar 386.8 388.8 Canadian Dollar 134 136 China Yuan 23.65 23.8 Danish Krone 23.35 23.65 Euro 197.5 199.5 Hong Kong Dollar 16.55 16.8 Indian Rupee 2.03 2.1 Japanese Yen 1.41 1.44 Kuwaiti Dinar 481.85 484.4 Malaysian Ringgit 36.65 37 NewZealand $ 96.35 97.05 Norwegians Krone 17.5 17.75 Omani Riyal 392.7 394.7 Qatari Riyal 39.6 40.2 Saudi Riyal 44.8 45.3 Singapore Dollar 122.7 124.7 Swedish Korona 18 18.25 Swiss Franc 159.5 160.4 Thai Bhat 4.8 4.9 U.A.E Dirham 46.3 46.8 UK Pound Sterling 230.5 232.5 US Dollar 168 169 Disclaimer: Team PKRevenue.com provides the available rates of the open market, which are subject to change every hour. Team PKRevenue.com provides the available exchange rates at the time of posting the story. So the team is not responsible for any inaccuracy of the data.
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Ship not to be allowed leaving without payment: Zaidi
ISLAMABAD: Ali Haider Zaidi, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs on Sunday said that the standard ship in Karachi would not be allowed to leave without recovering outstanding dues and inspection expenditures.
Speaking to media here, he said that the ship was stranded and taken off the shores of Karachi.
This is the first ship to be stranded and taken off. It is law across the world that the company which owns the ship is responsible for its pull out.
The captain of the ship did not make any emergency call informing that the ship was stranded, he said.
He said that on the same day when the ship was stranded on the shores of Karachi. Also the engine, radar of ship was weak. Some 100 tons diesel was extracted from the ship.
Pakistan on Tuesday detained a cargo ship, which was stuck up at Karachi Seaview beach on July 21, 2021.
The government has taken the decision to detain the ship after an inspection found the vessel in defective condition.
According to a letter issued by a department of Ministry of Maritime Affairs to the captain of the ship namely HENG TONG 77 was declared unseaworthy.
Replying to a question, he said that the government has full faith that Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will discharge its duties to ensure free and fair Cantonment Election as its mandate under article 218(3) of constitution.
However he was surprised to receive a show cause notice as he was not in the constituency since elections were announced. The minister said he has submitted his reply to the show cause notice.
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Taxpayers’ representatives to deal tax matters
Section 172 of Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 has allowed representation on behalf of taxpayers to deal with tax matters during a tax year.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) issued the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 updated up to June 30, 2021. The Ordinance incorporated amendments brought through Finance Act, 2021.
Following is the text of Section 172 of Income Tax Ordinance, 2001:
172. Representatives.— (1) For the purposes of this Ordinance and subject to sub-sections (2) and (3), “representative” in respect of a person for a tax year, means –
(a) where the person is an individual under a legal disability, the guardian or manager who receives or is entitled to receive income on behalf, or for the benefit of the individual;
(b) where the person is a company (other than a trust, a Provincial Government, or Local Government in Pakistan), the principal officer of the company;
(c) where the person is a trust declared by a duly executed instrument in writing whether testamentary or otherwise (including any Wakf deed which is valid under the MussalmanWakf Validation Act, 1913 (VI of 1913)), any trustee of the trust;
(d) where the person is a Provincial Government, or Local Government in Pakistan, any individual responsible for accounting for the receipt and payment of moneys or funds on behalf of the Provincial Government or Local Government;
(e) where the person is an association of persons, the principal officer of the association or, in the case of a firm, any partner in the firm;
(f) where the person is the Federal Government, any individual responsible for accounting for the receipt and payment of moneys or funds on behalf of the Federal Government; or
(g) where the person is a public international organisation, or a foreign government or political sub-Division of a foreign government, any individual responsible for accounting for the receipt and payment of moneys or funds in Pakistan on behalf of the organisation, government, or political sub-Division of the government.
(2) Where the Court of Wards, the Administrator General, the Official Trustee, or any receiver or manager appointed by, or under, any order of a Court receives or is entitled to receive income on behalf, or for the benefit of any person, such Court of Wards, Administrator General, Official Trustee, receiver, or manager shall be the representative of the person for a tax year for the purposes of this Ordinance.
(3) Subject to sub-sections (4) and (5), where a person is a non-resident person, the representative of the person for the purposes of this Ordinance for a tax year shall be any person in Pakistan –
(a) who is employed by, or on behalf of, the non-resident person;
(b) who has any business connection with the non-resident person:
Explanation.— In this clause the expression “business connection” includes transfer of an asset or business in Pakistan by a non-resident;
(c) from or through whom the non-resident person is in receipt of any income, whether directly or indirectly;
(d) who holds, or controls the receipt or disposal of any money belonging to the non-resident person;
(e) who is the trustee of the non-resident person; or
(f) who is declared by the Commissioner by an order in writing to be the representative of the non-resident person.
(4) A bonafide independent broker in Pakistan who, in respect of any transactions, does not deal directly with, or on behalf of, a non-resident principal but deals with, or through a non-resident broker, shall not be treated as a representative of the non-resident principal in respect of such transactions, if –
(a) the transactions are carried on in the ordinary course of business through the first-mentioned broker; and
(b) the non-resident broker is carrying on such transactions in the ordinary course of its business and not as a principal.
(5) No person shall be declared as the representative of a non-resident person unless the person has been given an opportunity by the Commissioner of being heard.
(Disclaimer: The text of above section is only for information. Team PkRevenue.com makes all efforts to provide the correct version of the text. However, the team PkRevenue.com is not responsible for any error or omission.)
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Income tax bonds to be issued for refund payment
Section 171A of Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 outlined that Income tax bonds to be issued for refund payment.
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