Pkrevenue.com

Author: Mrs. Anjum Shahnawaz

  • Interest rates on saving certificates slashed up to 100 basis points

    Interest rates on saving certificates slashed up to 100 basis points

    ISLAMABAD: The profit rate on saving certificates have been reduced up to 100 basis points due to sharp cut in key policy rate by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). The new rate of return on national saving certificates are applicable from June 02, 2020.

    According to Central Directorate of National Savings (CDNS), the interest rate by one percent on the savings certificates investment due to lower rates of Pakistan Investment Bonds (PIB) applicable from June 02, 2020.

    “The CDNS interest rates are linked with the policy of Pakistan Investment Bonds (PIBs), set the SBP,” an official of CDNS told state-run media.

    The rate of return on ‘Behbood Savings Certificates’ (BSC) reduced from 10.32 to 9.84 percent and as similarly Pensioner Benefit Accounts (PBA) recorded downwards from 10.32 to 9.84 percent.

    The profit rates on ‘Shuhada Family Welfare Account’ also reduced from 10.32 to new rates of 9.84 percent applicable from June 02 of this year.

    The profit rates on ‘Defense Savings Certificates’ (DSC) was also reduced from 8.54 to 8.05 percent and interest rates on ‘Regular Income Certificates’ also downwards 8.28 to 7.44 percent according to the current market situation.

    The profit rates on Special Savings Certificates (Registered)/Accounts was also reduced on all three categories of certificates from 1-5 Profit 8.00 to 7.10 percent, 6th Profit 8.60 percent 7.40 percent and Average 8.10 to 7.15 percent by June 02, 2020.

    The Short Term Savings Certificates profit rates also reduced on different categories on months on month bases by 3- Months from 7.80 to 7.72 , on 6- Months certificates 7.50 to 7.36 percent and on 12-Months slightly increased from 6.95 to 7.30 percent.

    The profit rates on Savings Account (SA) has also been reduced from 7.00 to 6.50 percent decided by last meeting held in Ministry of Finance.

  • FBR allows repayment of customs duty on import of plastic raw material

    FBR allows repayment of customs duty on import of plastic raw material

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has allowed repayment of customs duty at Rs5.42 per kilogram on import of raw material for manufacturing of plastic goods meant for export.

    The FBR on Tuesday issued SRO 461(I)/2020 to amend SRO 212(I)/2009 to allow repayment of export duty on import of raw material.

    Through the instant SRO the FBR allowed duty drawback on import of 10 different raw material for the manufacturing of plastic goods at the rate of Rs5.42 per kilogram.

    The FBR allowed duty drawback on export of manufactured products from May 20, 2020. The FBR said that repayment of custom duty shall be paid on manufacturing of 100 percent goods including packaging materials used in the goods meant for export such as bottles, jars, vials, containers, droppers and the like.

    The conditions for the facility prescribed in the actual SRO is that:

    — the manufactured goods are exported out of Pakistan and an application for repayment of customs–duties is presented to the proper officer of Customs within two hundred and ten days of such exportation or within one hundred and eighty days from the date of realization of foreign exchange as shown on Bank Credit Advice issued in accordance with the current directive of the State Bank of

    Pakistan; and

    — the exporter makes a declaration on the goods declaration filed under section 131 of the Customs Act, 1969 (IV of 1969) and on other export documents for his claim for repayment of the customs–duties paid on the imported raw materials used in the production or manufacture of the goods being exported.

  • FBR advised tracing unregistered persons instead collecting further tax

    FBR advised tracing unregistered persons instead collecting further tax

    KARACHI: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has been urged to trace unregistered persons instead collecting three percent further sales tax on local supplies.

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  • Equity market gains 386 points as banks attract investors

    Equity market gains 386 points as banks attract investors

    KARACHI: The equity market gained 386 points on Tuesday as banking sector attracted attention of investors.

    The benchmark KSE-100 index of Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) closed at 34,408 points as against 34,022 points showing an increase of +386 points.

    Analysts at Arif Habib Limited said that the market went up today on the back of banking sector that gained prominence post Eid.

    Yesterday’s performance of Index also came largely from Banking sector and today’s continuation gave investors the confidence to invest more.

    A couple of factors that helped Investors make a buying stance on Banking sector have been a gradual increase in secondary market PIB yields since last month as well as annual average inflation for FY20 in excess of 10 percent that diminishes the prospect of further rate cut and therefore a renewed interest in Banking sector.

    Interestingly, international crude prices were up as well overnight and during today’s market session, however, E&P stocks didn’t pay heed to the price increase and saw selling pressure. Cement sector stocks also showed some signs of revival but remained range bound.

    Banking sector stocks led the volumes with 50 million shares, followed by Technology (24.3 million) and Cement (17.3 million). Among scrips, PAEL realized trading volume of 14.2 million, followed by TRG (12.5 million) and HASCOL (12.3 million).

    Sectors contributing to the performance include Banks (+332 points), E&P (+38 points), Autos (+13 points), Fertilizer -22 points), Pharma (-18 points) and Inv Banks (-14 points).

    Volumes increased from 198.1 million shares to 220.6 million shares (+11 percent DoD). Average traded value also increased by 19 percent to reach US$ 52.3 million as against US$ 44.2 million.

    Stocks that contributed significantly to the volumes include PAEL, TRG, HASCOL, BOP and UNITY, which formed 28 percent of total volumes.

    Stocks that contributed positively to the index include MCB (+89 points)a, UBL (+82 points), HBL (+63 points), BAFL (+35 points) and POL (+29 points). Stocks that contributed negatively include FFC (-17 points), DAWH (-14 points), SEARL (-11 points), HMB (-11 points), and OGDC (-7 points).

  • Rupee further weakens by 81 paisas against dollar

    Rupee further weakens by 81 paisas against dollar

    KARACHI: The Pak Rupee further weakened by 81 paisas against dollar on Tuesday owing to higher demand for import and corporate payments, dealers said.

    The rupee closed at Rs164.89 to the dollar from last day’s closing of Rs164.08 in interbank foreign exchange market.

    The rupee depreciated by Rs1.79 against the dollar during last two days.

    Currency experts said that the deterioration in rupee value was due to higher demand for import and corporate payments.

    Further, they said that after ease in lockdown the demand was increasing and importers started purchasing dollars for future buying.

    The currency experts said that fall in exports and remittances also put pressure on the local currency.

    Overseas Pakistani workers sent home $1.790 billion in April, compared with $1.894 billion in previous month.

    Pakistan received $18.781 billion in remittances in July-April FY2020, compared with $17.801 billion in the same period last year.

    However, the experts said that the local currency recovered on the back of improved economic indicators.

  • Honda Cars declares 82 percent decline in annual profit

    Honda Cars declares 82 percent decline in annual profit

    KARACHI: Honda Atlas Cars (Pakistan) Limited has posted 82 percent decline in annual profit for the period ended March 31, 2020, said a notification on Tuesday.

    The car manufacturing company declared Rs682 million profit after tax for the year ended March 31, 2020 as compared with Rs3.85 billion in the preceding year.

    The sales of the company fell by 42 percent to Rs55 billion for the year ended March 31, 2020 as compared with Rs95.13 billion in the preceding year.

    The administrative expenses were flat at Rs738.75 million for the year. Operating expenses were also reduced to Rs1.045 billion for the year under review.

    The company declared Rs4.77 as earning per share for the year ended March 31, 2020 as against Rs26.97 EPS declared in the preceding year.

  • Above 120,000 income tax returns added to ATL during lockdown

    Above 120,000 income tax returns added to ATL during lockdown

    ISLAMABAD: The tax authorities have received above 120,000 income tax returns since launch of new Active Taxpayers List (ATL) on March 01, 2020 and during ongoing lockdown to prevent spread of coronavirus, according to updated list issued June 01, 2020.

    The updated ATL for tax, around 120,000 taxpayers filed their annual returns for tax year 2019 since March 01, 2020.

    The number of active taxpayers increased to over 2.65 million as of May 31, 2020 from 2.53 million returns as shown in new ATL for tax year 2019.

    The FBR updates ATL every week and on an average the revenue body receives around 20,000 returns per week. However, due to lockdown in the country after the outbreak of coronavirus the number of financial transactions had fallen drastically.

    It is worth mentioning that additional 120,000 income tax returns have been filed after the due date. The due date for filing income tax returns for tax year 2019 was February 28, 2020.

    As per law it was mandatory for individuals, Association of Persons (AOPs) and corporate entities to file annual return in order to avail reduced rates of withholding tax on certain transactions.

    Filing return after due date a person is required to pay surcharge in order to appear on ATL besides paying late filing penalty.

    The sources said changes in law through Finance Act, 2019 were also compelling to file their returns. Through Finance Act, 2019, Tenth Schedule was inserted to Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 under which a person not appearing on the ATL would be liable to pay 100 percent additional withholding tax while making certain transactions.

    Prior to this change the persons not filing income tax returns were liable to pay enhanced rate of withholding tax.

    Previously, the law provides for the concept of a non-filer and stipulates higher withholding rates for the same which were adjustable at the time of filing of income tax return.

    A senior FBR official said that such tax regime had created a misconception that a non-filer can go scot free by choosing not to file income tax return.

    The measure are meant to increase the number of filers, however over time the focus shifted to raising additional revenue only.

    The measure had not achieved the desired results as the regime did not provide for any legal framework to ensure filing of return by such non-filers, the official said.

    In order to remove the aforesaid misconception, the concept and the term of ‘non-filer’ was abolished from the statute, the official added.

  • Sindh Revenue Board announces tax incentive package

    Sindh Revenue Board announces tax incentive package

    KARACHI: Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) has announced tax incentive scheme and waived up to 100 percent penalty amount on payment of outstanding amount, said a statement on Monday.

    The SRB said that acceding to the request of the taxpayers, associations and tax bars, the provincial revenue authority, had issued tax incentive package, which provides substantial benefits and relief to the taxpayers, service providers and withholding agents, in return of their tax compliance, under the Sindh Sales Tax on Services Act, 2011.

    The package includes exemption of up to 100 percent of the amount of default surcharge, total remission of penalties and immunity from arrest and prosecution if the taxpayer deposits:

    1. the liability of the arrears of tax (as outstanding on May 31, 2020) plus zero percent of the amount of default surcharge thereon between June 01, 2020 and June 15, 2020;
    2. the liability of arrears tax (as outstanding on May 31, 2020) plus five percent of the amount of default surcharge thereon between June 16, 2020 and June 22, 2020; and
    3. the liability of arrears of tax (as outstanding on May 31, 2020) plus 10 percent of amount of default surcharge between June 23, 2020 and June 30, 2020.

    The SRB said that in case where no tax liability is outstanding but only the arrears of amounts of penalty and/or default surcharge are outstanding, tax incentive package allows the remission of 95 percent of the amount of such penalty and 90 percent of the amount of such default surcharge, if the balance of the amounts of penalty and default surcharge are deposited during the period from June 01, 2020 to June 30, 2020.

    The provincial revenue authority advised all taxpayers, service providers and withholding agents to avail the benefits of the tax incentive package which shall expire at the close of June 30, 2020.

    The incentives announced through the notification provide and opportunity to the taxpayers to get substantial waiver of their liability to pay penalties and default surcharge by depositing the outstanding amounts of tax liabilities during the period the said notification is valid.

    The SRB further said that the package may also help in resolution of disputes pending in litigation, appeals, adjudication or audit.

  • PM directs providing all possible incentives in budget 2020/2021

    PM directs providing all possible incentives in budget 2020/2021

    ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday directed the authorities to provide all possible incentives in budget 2020/2021 to industry for job creations and moving the wheels of the economy.

    The prime minister chaired a meeting to discuss the objectives and considerations for the forthcoming budget 2020/2021.

    The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Minister for Industries and Production Muhammad Hammad Azhar, Planning Minister Asad Umar, Finance Adviser Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Adviser Commerce Abdur Razzaq Dawood, Adviser Institutional Reform Dr. Ishrat Hussain and senior officials.

    Discussing priorities for the forthcoming budget, the prime minister said that every effort should be made to provide all possible incentives to the industry, create jobs for the youth and moving the wheels of economy.

    The prime minister stated that the corona pandemic has severely affected upward trajectory of economy towards stabilization and strengthening.

    He said that the government, despite its financial constraints, provided unprecedented stimulus economic package to support businesses and industry and to minimize the impact of corona.

    He said that the most affected sectors be identified so as to provide those with maximum possible support in the forthcoming budget.

    The prime minister directed that the process of cutting unnecessary government expenditure should be expedited at all levels including the federal government as well as provincial governments.

    Prime Minister Imran Khan stressed upon the need for reviewing the existing system of provision of subsidies to make them target-oriented and ensuring their optimum utilization.

    He said that the present situation calls for expediting reform process in critical sectors so as to reduce burden on national exchequer and provide relief to the masses.

    The prime minister also directed adviser finance to apprise the people of Pakistan about the current economic situation and the strategy being followed by the government to cope with the challenges.

    Finance Adviser Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh apprised the meeting about the overall state of economy and the philosophy, objectives and considerations for the next budget 2020-2021.

    Dr. Hafeez Sheikh also dilated upon various constraints of economy, especially in wake of corona pandemic, that has obliged the government to further focus on providing incentives to the industry for its revival and growth, cutting unnecessary government expenditure, rationalize subsidies and expedite reform process in critical sectors.

    Various proposals were discussed in detail to stimulate corona-affected economy, especially ensuring greater participation of the private sector in the development process and promoting public-private partnership to complement public sector development program.

  • LTU Karachi auditor awarded ‘removal from service’

    LTU Karachi auditor awarded ‘removal from service’

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has awarded major penalty of ‘removal from service’ on an auditor (BS-18) posted at Large Taxpayers Unit (LTU) Karachi for inefficiency and misconduct.

    A notification issued on Monday, the FBR said that disciplinary proceedings against Ghulam Fareed Pario, Assistant Director (Audit) (BS-18), Large Taxpayers Unit, Karachi were initiated under the Government Servants (Efficiency & Discipline), Rules 1973 on account of Inefficiency and Misconduct for his unauthorized absence from duty.

    The unauthorized absence from duty was borne out of record, the Authorized Officer i.e. Member (Admn) issued a direct Show Cause Notice to the accused.

    The accused officer submitted reply to the show cause notice on September 03, 2019 through email and courier.

    After having examined the relevant record and written defence, the authorized Officer concluded that willful absence from duty of Ghulam Fareed Pario, Assistant Director (Audit) (BS-18) LTU Karachi w.e.f.16.05.2019 stood established and recommended to the Authority for imposition of major penalty of “Dismissal from Service”.

    The Secretary Revenue Division, being the Authority in this case, provided opportunity of personal hearing to the accused on 18.10.2019 which also remained unavailed.

    Now therefore, Secretary Revenue Division, being authority in this case, after having considered all aspects of the case and imposed major penalty of “Removal from Service” upon Ghulam Fareed Pario.