Author: Mrs. Anjum Shahnawaz

  • Value of supply defined for applying sales tax

    Value of supply defined for applying sales tax

    Sales Tax Act, 1990 has defined “value of supply” in respect of taxable supply, as the consideration in money including all federal and provincial duties and taxes, if any, which the supplier receives from the recipient for that supply.

    The Sales Tax Act, 1990 updated up to June 30, 2020 issued by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), explained the value of supply as

    Value of supply” means:–

    (a) in respect of a taxable supply, the consideration in money including all Federal and Provincial duties and taxes, if any, which the supplier receives from the recipient for that supply but excluding the amount of tax:

    Provided that

    (i) in case the consideration for a supply is in kind or is partly in kind and partly in money, the value of the supply shall mean the open market price of the supply excluding the amount of tax;

    (ii) in case the supplier and recipient are associated persons and the supply is made for no consideration or for a consideration which is lower than the open market price, the value of supply shall mean the open market price of the supply excluding the amount of tax; and

    (iii) in case a taxable supply is made to a consumer from general public on installment basis on a price inclusive of mark up or surcharge rendering it higher than open market price, the value of supply shall mean the open market price of the supply excluding the amount of tax.

    (b) in case of trade discounts, the discounted price excluding the amount of tax; provided the tax invoice shows the discounted price and the related tax and the discount allowed is in conformity with the normal business practices;

    (c) in case where for any special nature of transaction it is difficult to ascertain the value of a supply, the open market price;

    (d) in case of imported goods excluding those as specified in the Third Schedule, the value determined under section 25 of the Customs Act, including the amount of customs-duties and central excise duty levied thereon;

    (e) in case where there is sufficient reason to believe that the value of a supply has not been correctly declared in the invoice, the value determined by the Valuation Committee comprising representatives of trade and the Inland Revenue constituted by the Commissioner;

    (f) in case of manufacture of goods belonging to another person, the actual consideration received by the manufacturer for the value addition carried out in relation to such goods;

    (g) in case of a taxable supply, with reference to retail tax, the price of taxable goods excluding the amount of retail tax, which a supplier will charge at the time of making taxable supply by him, or such other price as the Board may, by a notification in the official Gazette, specify.

    (h) in case of supply of electricity by an independent power producer or WAPDA, the amount received on account of energy purchase price only; and the amount received on

    account of capacity purchase price, energy purchase price premium, excess bonus, supplemental charges etc. shall not be included in the value of supply;

    (i) in case of supply of electric power and gas by a distribution company, the total amount billed including price of electricity and natural gas, as the case may be, charges, rents, commissions and all duties and taxes local, provincial and federal but excluding the amount of late payment surcharge and the amount of sales tax; and

    (j) in case of registered person who is engaged in purchasing used vehicles from general public on which sales tax had already been paid at the time of import or manufacturing, and which are, later on, sold in the open market after making certain value addition, value of supply will be the difference between sale and purchase price of the said vehicle on the basis of the valuation method prescribed by the Board.

    Provided that, where the Board deems it necessary it may, by notification in the official Gazette, fix the value of any imported goods or taxable supplies or class of supplies and for that purpose fix different values for different classes or description of same type of imported goods or supplies:

    Provided further that where the value at which import or supply is made is higher than the value fixed by the Board, the value of goods shall, unless otherwise directed by the Board, be the value at which the import or supply is made.

  • FBR procures video surveillance system for sugar mills

    FBR procures video surveillance system for sugar mills

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has decided to procure Video Analytic Surveillance (VAS) system from a single vendor to install the equipment at all the sugar mills across the country, sources said on Thursday.

    Earlier, it was decided that the cost of installation has to be borne by sugar mills but ongoing lackluster response and delaying tactics compelled the authorities to purchase the equipment for early solution of transparent monitoring of sugar production and supply.

    On February 08, 2021, the FBR presented a summary regarding procurement of VAS for proper monitoring of the production and sale of sugar in compliance with the directive of the prime minister. The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet approved an allocation of Rs350 million as a Technical Supplementary Grant for installation of the most optimal VAS solution at the sugar mills’ premises during the current crushing season as requested by the FBR.

    In order to properly monitor the production and sale of sugar and the attendant sales tax and income tax thereon, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) issued SRO 889(I)/2020, dated 21.09.2020 warranting all sugar mills to install VAS System expecting that the process would be completed before official onset of the crushing season on 10.11.2020.

    FBR ran a rigorous process of procurement as enshrined under the VAS Rules, 2020, and pre-qualified/approved seven vendors for supply and installation of the System on sugar factories.

    The FBR said that the VAS System, however, has so far been installed only by a few sugar mills and those too are sub-optimal solutions. “Ostensibly, the cost, which under the prevailing rules is to be borne by the sugar mills, has been the key factor towards non-implementation of the VAS System.”

    Sugar mill-owners, in an apparent effort to cut cost, went around getting demonstrations and quotations from all seven vendors consuming unending time in the process.

    Those that went ahead with installation eventually opted for the cheapest and sub-standard solutions.

    A relatively small contract size/volume (80 mills only) to be distributed over seven vendors, also did not prove enough an incentive for the vendors to aggressively invest in procurement of the systems and install in a timely fashion.

    The last deadline, i.e., January 31, 2021 has already expired and it seems unlikely that the system would be installed in a satisfactory manner across the board by all the mills.

    The FBR said that the situation warrants a change in approach.

    Accordingly, FBR has been tasked to select and contract one vendor to install the video-analytics solution across all manufacturers of sugar in Pakistan and in the shortest possible time.

    The cost is to be borne by the government and the vendor will submit its invoices to FBR for payment.

  • FBR transfers customs officers of BS-17-18

    FBR transfers customs officers of BS-17-18

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Thursday announced transfers and posting of BS-17 and BS-18 officers of Pakistan Customs Service (PCS) with immediate effect until further orders.

    The FBR notified transfers and postings of following officers:

    01. Mrs. Saher Yasir (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-18) has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Directorate of IPR Enforcement (Central), Lahore from the post of Deputy Director, Directorate of IPR Enforcement (North), Islamabad.

    02. Syed Ali Akbar Zaidi (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-18) has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Directorate of Intelligence & Investigation, FBR, Lahore from the post of Deputy Director, Directorate of IPR Enforcement (Central), Lahore.

    03. Amjad Hussain Rajper (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-18) has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Directorate of Intelligence & Investigation, FBR, Quetta from the post of Deputy Collector, Model Customs Collectorate of Enforcement and Compliance, Quetta.

    04. Ms. Maryam Khalid (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-18) has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director, DirectorateGeneral of Intelligence &Investigation, FBR, Islamabad from the post of Deputy Collector, Model Customs Collectorate, Islamabad.

    05. Muhammad Zohaib (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-18) has been transferred and posted as Deputy Collector, Model CustomsCollectorate of Enforcement andCompliance, Quetta from the post of Deputy Director, Directorate ofIntelligence & Investigation, FBR,Quetta.

    06. Ali Asad (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-18) has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Directorate ofIntelligence & Investigation, FBR,Karachi from the post of Deputy Collector, ModelCustoms Collectorate ofAppraisement and Facilitation(East), Karachi.

    07. Majid Hussain Gaad (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-17) has been transferred and posted as Assistant Director, Directorate ofIntelligence & Investigation, FBR,Karachi from the post of Assistant Collector, ModelCustoms Collectorate,Islamabad.

    08. Beenish Rasheed (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-17) has been transferred and posted as Assistant Collector, ModelCustoms Collectorate, Islamabad from the post of Assistant Collector, ModelCustoms Collectorate ofAppraisement and Facilitation,Faisalabad.

    09. Hafizah Laraib Ghaffar (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-17) has been transferred and posted as Assistant Director, Directorate of IPR Enforcement (Central), Islamabad from the post of Assistant Collector, Model Customs Collectorate, Islamabad.

    10. Asad Aleem (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-17) has been transferred and posted as Assistant Collector, Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement and Facilitation (East), Karachi from the post of Assistant Collector, Model Customs Collectorate of Exports, Custom House, Karachi.

    The FBR said that the Officers who are drawing performance allowance prior to issuance of this notification shall continue to draw this allowance on the new place of posting.

  • Board approves establishment of Tax Policy Unit

    Board approves establishment of Tax Policy Unit

    ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Policy Board on Thursday approved establishment of Tax Policy Unit under the administrative control of the Finance Division.

    Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, chaired the 5th meeting of the FBR Policy Board at FBR HQs today.

    Federal Minister for Privatization Mohammad Mian Soomro, Adviser to the PM on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, Adviser to the PM on Institutional Reforms & Austerity Dr. Ishrat Hussain, SAPM on Revenue Dr. Waqar Masood, Chairman FBR, senior members of FBR and representatives of private sector participated in the meeting.

    The FBR made a presentation regarding establishment of Tax Policy Unit in accordance with the decision of the Cabinet dated 29 November, 2018.

    Members of the Policy Board gave a valuable input highlighting the advantages of keeping tax policy function independent of administrative function.

    After due deliberation, the Chair accorded approval for the establishment of ‘Tax Policy Unit’ under the administrative control of the Finance Division.

    A new setup would be created that will include members from FBR and also engage fiscal and economic experts from academia, think tanks and private sector to present holistic proposals for mobilising revenue generation with greater autonomy.

    Tax Policy Unit would work out policy recommendations for domestic tax collection on the lines of the National Tariff Commission which operates under the Ministry of Commerce.

    FBR’s Technical Committee apprised the Policy Board about the measures taken to identify anomalies and simplify the taxation system for better understanding of the business community.

    FBR requested to include senior representatives from the Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Industries & Production for better coordination and effective policy making in this regard.

    Chairman, Complaint Oversight Committee (COC) briefed the Policy Board about the working of a newly developed complaint portal which is currently running on trial basis.

    The complaint resolution system is designed to facilitate businessmen, traders, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and large tax payers.

    All complaints can be filed at one place. SOPs for complaint resolution and oversight by COC are being finalized and system would be formally launched soon.

    The Chair directed to disseminate relevant information about the working of complaint registration mechanism and ensure the contact details are readily available for public consumption.

    The Finance Minister further directed FBR to expedite the process of Income Tax refunds of less than Rs.50 million to uphold commitment of the government to facilitate tax payers.

  • Car sales climb up by 23 percent in seven months

    Car sales climb up by 23 percent in seven months

    KARACHI: The sales of locally manufactured motor cars registered 23 percent increase during first seven months (July – January) of 2020/2021 owing to lower interest rates and reduction in coronavirus infection rate.

    According to Pakistan Automobile Manufacturers Association (PAMA) the car sales increased to 97,469 units during first seven months of the current fiscal year as compared with 79,458 units in the corresponding months of the last fiscal year.

    The total number of car sales also included 2,279 units sold by Hyundai, which started reporting of sales from the current fiscal year.

    Indus Motors has registered 74 percent growth to 31,591 units during the period under review as compared with 18,197 units in the corresponding period of the last fiscal year.

    The sale of Honda Cars also posted 56 percent growth to 16,116 units during July – January 2020/2021 as compared with 10,356 units in the same period of the last fiscal year.

    However, the sales of Pak Suzuki witnessed a decline of 7 percent to 46,949 units during the period under review as compared with 50,253 units.

    Analysts at Topline Securities said that car sales, as reported by PAMA, have increased by 46 percent YoY in January 2021 to 17,515 units.

    The same, including Lucky Motor Corporation (KIA, non-member of PAMA), is up by 67 percent YoY.

    Pak Suzuki (PSMC) led the charge of the New Year euphoria with a massive increase of 62 percent YoY. This was primarily driven by Alto (+113 percent YoY) and Wagon R (+132 percent YoY) sales.

    Indus Motor (INDU) and Honda Car (HCAR) registered sales increases of 36 percent YoY and 11 percent YoY, respectively. INDU sales were led by Yaris, which again outsold total HCAR sales.

    New entrants into Pak Auto space, Hyundai Nishat sold 515 units in Jan-2021, while Lucky Motor sold around 2,500 units, as per our channel checks.

    Car sales have increased by 26 percent MoM in January 2021. The increase was driven by HCAR (+39 percent MoM) and INDU (+36 percent MoM) as the New Year effect kicked in.

    Atlas Honda (ATLH) recorded motorbike sales of 114,001 units in Jan-2021, up 20 percent YoY. In 7MFY21, sales have increased by 20 percent YoY.

    Tractor sales in Jan-2021 are up by 135 percent YoY and 57 percent MoM. Millat Tractors (MTL) recorded increase of 195 percent YoY (+30 percent MoM) while Al Ghazi Tractors (AGTL) sales increased by 53 percent YoY (+290 percent MoM), respectively.

    The analysts said that demand for cars to grow stronger owing to low interest rates environment and pickup in economic activity.

  • Weekly foreign exchange reserves slip by $90 million

    Weekly foreign exchange reserves slip by $90 million

    KARACHI: Foreign exchange reserves position eased by $90 million to $20.073 billion by week ended February 04, 2021, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said on Thursday.

    The foreign exchange reserves of the country were at $20.163 billion by week ended January 29, 2021.

    The official foreign exchange reserves of the central bank also fell by $82 million to $12.949 billion by week ended February 04, 2021 as compared with $13.031 billion a week ago.

    Similarly, the foreign exchange reserves held by commercial banks witnessed decline by $8 million to $7.124 billion by week ended February 04, 2021 as compared with $7.132 billion a week ago.

  • Share market ends down by 589 points amid aggressive selling in major scrips

    Share market ends down by 589 points amid aggressive selling in major scrips

    The Pakistan share market witnessed a significant downturn on Thursday as the benchmark KSE-100 index fell by 589 points, closing at 46,056 points compared to the previous day’s 46,644 points.

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  • Rupee strengthens for five consecutive trading days

    Rupee strengthens for five consecutive trading days

    KARACHI: The Pak Rupee strengthened against the dollar for five consecutive trading days on Thursday owing to improved inflows of export receipts and workers’ remittances.

    The rupee made gain of 24 paisas to close at Rs159.07 to the dollar on Thursday from previous day’s closing of Rs159.31 in the interbank foreign exchange market.

    The rupee was at Rs160.18 to the dollar on February 03, 2021. However, since last five trading days the rupee gained value of Rs1.11 against the dollar.

    Currency experts said that improved inflows of export receipts and workers’ remittances helped the rupee to make gain against the foreign currency.

  • Highlights of Tax Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021

    Highlights of Tax Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021

    ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet approved the Tax Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021 in its meeting held on February 09, 2021.

    According the approved draft of the ordinance, the government is making certain amendments in: Customs Act, 1969; Sales Tax Act, 1990; Federal Excise Act, 2005; and Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.

    A major relief has been granted to holders of Roshan Digital Accounts (RDAs). The tax relief has been allowed:

    — The exemption / concessions granted to non-residents holding Pakistan Origin Card (POC),  National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP), Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) for encouraging foreign remittances

    — Exemption to profit on debt income of RDAs

    — If investment is made through RDAs

    >> Reduction in tax rate from 15% to 10% on capital gain on disposal of shares in stock market— as final tax

    >> Taxation of sale and purchase of immovable property @ 1% as final tax in lieu of capital gain tax

    >> Reduction in tax rate from 20% to 10% on profit on debt from Naya Pakistan Certificates as final tax

    — Waiver from filing of return to non-resident RDA holders and resultant investors in shares, Naya Pakistan Certificates and immovable property

    — Placement of above non-residents on ATL to avoid higher taxation

    — Exemption to Islamic Naya Pakistan Certificate Company Ltd

    >> Corporate income tax

    >> minimum tax on turn over

    >> Withholding taxes

    Other tax concessions granted under various heads, which included:

    — Exemption from withholding tax u/s 153(1)(a) for whole of supply chain  of locally manufactured Mobile Phone Devices

    — Imposition of withholding tax on vehicles, if sold within 90 days of delivery – to discourage investors/  “on money” trend  

    — Extension of date of commencement of business for electricity transmission lines from 2018 to 2022 on recommendation of Cabinet Committee on CPEC – not even a single project / company qualified for exemption before change (Pak Matiari-Lahore Transmission Line Co.)

    — Exemption from withholding tax u/s 153(1)(b) on services provided by National Telecommunication Company (NTC) –the tax constituted minimum tax hence great hardship

    — Cotton Ginners –Tax liability to be equal to 1% of turnover as final tax. The tax regime existent upto 30-06-2019 proposed to be restored in line with 1994- agreement.

    — Extension of applicability of super tax on banking companies from tax year 2022 onwards

    — Withholding and turnover tax rates for dealers, distributors, wholesalers and retailers of fertilizer and fast moving consumer goods proposed to be reduced to 0.25%, provided they get themselves registered under Sales Tax Act, 1990 within 60 days— for promotion of documentation and equity

    — Exemption from withholding tax on temporary imports by international athletes for SAF Games.

  • Withholding tax imposed on motor vehicle sale to discourage ‘on money’

    Withholding tax imposed on motor vehicle sale to discourage ‘on money’

    ISLAMABAD: The federal government has approved an additional withholding tax on motor vehicles sold within 90 days of delivery in order to discourage ‘on money’ trend, sources said on Wednesday.

    The federal cabinet in its meeting on February 09, 2020 approved the Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021 to implement through a presidential ordinance.

    The sources said that through the Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021 withholding tax on vehicles had been imposed in case the motor vehicle was sold within 90 days of delivery.

    The tax has been imposed in order to discourage investors and ‘on money’ trend.

    The levy has already been approved by the economic coordination of the cabinet.

    The sources said that the withholding tax will be applicable after promulgation of the ordinance.