Pkrevenue.com

Author: Mrs. Anjum Shahnawaz

  • Banks timing revised

    Banks timing revised

    KARACHI: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Wednesday issued revised banks timing from May 27, 2020 after Ramazan ul Mubarak.

    In a notification sent to president and chief executives of all banks, development finance institutions and microfinance banks, the SBP said that the central bank will observe the following office timings till further orders:

    Monday to Thursday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (with prayer / lunch break from 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.)

    Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

    Banks / DFIs / MFBs are accordingly advised to ensure compliance of the above-mentioned timings in letter and spirit, the SBP said.

  • Massive increase in penalty amount on the cards for violating tax laws

    Massive increase in penalty amount on the cards for violating tax laws

    Tax authorities are considering a significant increase in monetary penalties for violations of general provisions of income tax laws. According to sources within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the Large Taxpayers Unit (LTU) Karachi has submitted proposals for the budget 2020/2021, suggesting an increase in fines and penalties from the current Rs5,000 to Rs50,000.

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  • KCCI wants end lockdown, deploy army for SOP enforcement

    KCCI wants end lockdown, deploy army for SOP enforcement

    KARACHI: Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Wednesday urged the government to lift lockdown completely and allow all type of businesses to restart their activities.

    Siraj Kassam Teli, Chairman Businessmen Group (BMG) and former KCCI president in a statement also advised the government to deploy troops from the army whose presence and patrolling at various commercial markets would ensure strict adherence to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) devised to contain further spread of coronavirus pandemic.

    Teli said that Pakistan’s economy was already in deep crises and the country cannot afford further damages hence, it was really critical to restart all businesses with normal timings and get back to routine life in presence of the virus.

    “On one hand, we have to contain coronavirus pandemic but on the other, we also have to save the already ailing economy therefore, the patriotic and disciplined troops from armed forces must be given the task to ensure across the board implementation of SOPs, which has to be done on top priority in order to save the economy from plunging into further crises,” he said, adding that reopening of businesses under army’s supervision would help in protecting the businesses from complete collapse and save the masses from unemployment, poverty and starvation.

    Chairman BMG, while referring to numerous measures adopted by the Federal and Provincial governments since the imposition of lockdown from March 23, said that the federal government and all provincial governments strived really hard to deal with COVID-19 pandemic and they all deserve to be appreciated but unfortunately, the number of people affected by coronavirus continues to rise all over the country as the public and also the members of the business community have been largely ignoring the SOPs due to lack of discipline.

    “Pakistan army is well-known for its discipline all around the world hence, it is high time that the army must come forward to rescue the country, teach discipline to the masses and get the SOPs enforced all the time which is the only way to save our beloved motherland from further disaster,” he added.

    He stressed that the coronavirus pandemic is not going anywhere and we have to live with it and continue our businesses in a disciplined manner.

    “We cannot live in the lockdown forever so we have to exhibit the Discipline which is the first step on the road to success.”

    He cautioned that if the lockdown is not suspended immediately, many businesses, which remain completely suspended since last more than two months, would shut down forever that would lead to creating a chaotic situation as the people would find no other option but to come out on streets to protest due to rising unemployment and poverty.

  • Sindh proposed to exempt sales tax on export of services

    Sindh proposed to exempt sales tax on export of services

    KARACHI: Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) has been proposed to exempt sales tax on export of services.

    Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) in its proposals for budget 2020/2021 presented to SRB, said that as per the Fifth Schedule to the Sales Tax Act 1990, exports made by a registered person are zero-rated.

    “Presently, there is no concept of zero-rating in Provincial Sales Tax Acts,” it said.

    Resultantly, the companies providing services to foreign companies and bringing foreign exchange in Pakistan need to pay sales tax from their own account.

    The OICCI recommended that a separate schedule should be inserted in Provincial Sales Taxes Act for zero rating. “All services provided to foreign companies outside Pakistan which result in inflow of foreign exchange and export of all taxable services should be exempt from Sind Sales Tax.”

    Giving rationale to the proposals, the OICCI said that this will result in harmonization of tax laws in Pakistan and would ensure convenient compliance with tax laws through uniform systems across the country and would also contribute towards the economic development of the Country.

    The OICCI highlighted another issue that all pharmaceutical products are exempt from Sales Tax.

    Consequently any sales tax paid by pharmaceutical industry on goods or services purchased, can neither be passed on to the consumer nor can be claimed as input, and has to be absorbed by the manufacturers in their costs.

    It is resulting in increasing the cost of doing business and is also against the philosophy of sales tax which is supposed to be borne by the consumer.
    Therefore, it is recommended that services received by pharmaceutical industry should be zero rated.

    Since pharmaceuticals prices are controlled, sales tax paid on inputs can neither be added to the selling price nor separately charged.

  • Withholding sales tax should be exempted on services rendered to registered persons

    Withholding sales tax should be exempted on services rendered to registered persons

    KARACHI: Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) has been proposed to exempt sales tax withholding in case a registered person renders services to another registered person.

    Withholding of sales tax from registered sales tax persons with Sindh Revenue Board (SRB), does not provide any benefit and only creates hardships for genuine taxpayers of reconciliations and delay in adjustments, said Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) in its budget proposals for 2020/2021 submitted to the SRB.

    It further said that similar to federal sales tax law, exemption should be given if payment being made to sales tax registered person against withholding sales tax.

    Withholding tax rules are applicable on active taxpayers also.

    The OICCI recommended:

    i. Withholding should be exempted from deduction of Sales Tax at applicable rate against the payments to the Sales tax registered persons with SRB, in line with Federal Laws.

    ii. The rate of withholding sales tax against the invoices of unregistered persons should be reduced to 5% in line with the FBR’s Withholding Sales Tax regime as applicable under SRO.660 (I)/2007.

    iii. Withholding tax rules should not applicable on active taxpayers.

    Giving rationale to the proposals, the OICCI said that the withholding agents are unnecessarily burdened with deduction of sales tax which is not claimable as input tax and is thus resulting in increasing their cost of doing business.

    Similar matters have already been decided by the courts in case of sales tax withholding rules of FBR and PRA. The ultimate objective of the taxpayer is that indirect tax should not increase its cost of doing business. Moreover these enforcement measures have negative bearing on the regulated sector only.

    The purpose of withholding tax deduction is to ensure that non-active & nonregistered taxpayers can be detected. Compliance burden of businesses can be reduced for businesses by exemption deduction at source for active taxpayers.

    PRA allows similar provision [Sindh Sale Tax Special Procedures (Withholding Tax) Rules, 2014 read with notification SRB-3-4/14/2014].

  • Public auction of vehicles on June 04 at Gaddani

    Public auction of vehicles on June 04 at Gaddani

    KARACHI: Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Gwadar announced public auction of confiscated vehicles to be held on June 04, 2020 at Custom House, Gaddani.

    Following vehicles will be presented for auction:

    1. BMW Car, Model 2002, Chassis No. WBAGL42020DD-78677
    2. Toyota Land Cruiser, Model 1998, Chassis No. BJ-60-020679
    3. Toyota Land Cruiser, Model 1991, Chassis No. HZJ-770002489
    4. Toyota Land Cruiser, Model 1985, Chassis No. BJ-61-003506
    5. Mitsubishi Pajero, Model 1985, Chassis No. LO48G-3005856
    6. Land Cruiser, Model 1989, Chassis No. HJ61-013994
    7. Toyota Hilux Surf SSR-X, Model 2000, Chassis No. RZN185-9036661
    8. Toyota jeep Land Cruiser, Model 1989, Chassis No. SJ40-371932
    9. Toyota Mark-X, Model 2005, Chassis No. GRX120-0016870
    10. Toyota X Corolla Car, Model 2007, Chassis No. NZE121-0009339
    11. Toyota X Corolla Car, Model 2005, Chassis No. NZE120-3008546
    12. Toyota Mark-X, Model 2007, Chassis No. GRX121-3001923
    13. Toyota Land Cruiser, Model 1993, Chassis No. LJ78-0039971
    14. Toyota Probox Car, Model 2004, Chassis No. NLP51-0006233
    15. Toyota Passo Car, Model 2005, Chassis No. QNC10-0025058
    16. Honda Civic Car, Model 2002, Chassis No. ESI-1600827
    17. BMW, Model 2002, Chassis No. WBAGL62090DJ92594
    18. Toyota Prado, Model 2000, Chassis No. VZJ90-0004977
    19. Toyota Land Cruiser, Model 1996, Chassis No. FZJ-800102056
    20. Toyota Land Cruiser, Model 1992, Chassis No. PZJ-70-0002960
    21. Toyota Surf, Model 1993, Chassis No. KZN130-9032504
    22. Toyota Premio Car, Model 2002, Chassis No. ZZT2400040257
  • Banks to open selected branches on May 27

    Banks to open selected branches on May 27

    KARACHI: Banks likely to open selected branches on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 to facilitate their customers in wake of long holidays for Eid ul Fitr.

    It is pertinent to mention that the government announced six holidays for Eid-ul-Fitr from May 22 – 27, 2020 (Friday – Wednesday).

    Tomorrow i.e. Wednesday May 27, 2020 is the last day of ongoing holidays. Due to closure of financial institutions for the long period, people are facing cash problems for their day to day transactions.

    The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on May 20, 2020 already granted approval for banks for opening of selected branches on May 27, 2020.

    The SBP said: “In order to ensure the availability of limited banking services to public at large during the extended holidays on the occasion of Eid‐ul‐Fitr, it has been decided that banks / MFBs may open their selected branches on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at their own discretion in various business centers / commercial hubs etc. across Pakistan.

    “However, it may be noted that RTGS System and Clearing through NIFT will not be available on the above‐mentioned date.

    “Accordingly, NIFT will collect Financial Instruments from branches on Thursday, May 28, 2020 for clearing purposes.

    “For this purpose, banks / MFBs should ensure the deployment of minimal number of staff necessary to carry out smooth working at their selected branches on the above date.”

  • Reverse charge should only be levied on service providers located outside Pakistan

    Reverse charge should only be levied on service providers located outside Pakistan

    KARACHI: Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) has been advised that reverse charge should be restricted to such cases where service providers are located outside Pakistan.

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  • FPCCI proposes duty free import of used cars for subsequent export

    FPCCI proposes duty free import of used cars for subsequent export

    KARACHI: Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has proposed duty free import of used cars and their subsequent export after repair.

    The apex trade body in its proposals for budget 2020/2021 said that the UAE had developed Export Processing Zone (EPZ) for duty free import of used cars, their repair and subsequent export to different countries especially those of Africa.

    “On similar pattern a ‘Used vehicles EPZ’ be set up in Karachi, Port Qasim or Gwadar and import of both right hand and left-hand drive vehicles may be allowed under this EPZ for their export to different countries. Because of its more feasible sea route to Africa and land route to Central Asian markets, cheap labour, painters and mechanics, the proposed EPZ may turn out to more attractive than the ones in UAE.”

    The FPCCI also highlighted issue of import of stock lot and job lot goods. The apex trade body said that despite the fact that stock lot and job lot goods are available in the world at lower prices, but for the protection of local industry, their import is banned.

    Maintaining the ban for home consumption, permission may be granted for import of stock lot and job lot goods under Export Facilitation Schemes on 100 percent export basis.

    The FPCCI also said that import of used clothing and their exports after sorting, repair, washing and packing is allowed to exporters operating in EPZ.

    However, this facility is not allowed under DTRE scheme and is denied under other Export Facilitation schemes too. If the same is allowed, Pakistan can capture a bigger share because of its cheap labour.

    The FPCCI said that the global warehousing market is more than $ 1.0 trillion and is growing at a very fast pace. The Export Policy Order vide para 9(g) allows export of imported goods in same state – unprocessed form from bonded warehouse and the imported goods already cleared from home consumption.

    The FPCCI said that this is not in line with this global business practice. “Singapore, Malaysia, Sri-Lanka and a number of other countries allows such export, which helps in earning FE and generates employment,” it added.

    The issue is that re-export of imported goods in the same state is allowed but there is no procedure which allows refund of duty and taxes paid, neither such imports are covered under DTRE or any other export facilitation scheme (manufacturing bond, temporary imports, export oriented unit etc).

    No importer can import goods, ware house it and re-export after payment of import duty and taxes. He can re-export to mitigate his loss but cannot adopt it as a business to utilize cheap warehousing in Pakistan.

    It proposed the Ministry of Commerce and FBR to allow import for re-exportation under DTRE Rules subject to value addition of 5percent or 10 percent.

  • Manufacturers demand domestic supplies against FE should be treated as exports

    Manufacturers demand domestic supplies against FE should be treated as exports

    KARACHI: Manufacturers have urged the government to treat goods booked abroad on which foreign exchange (FE) has been transferred should be treated as export.

    Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) in its proposals for budget 2020/2021, said that some manufacturers (like Dawlance etc.) are demanding that overseas Pakistanis may be allowed to send foreign exchange to manufacturers through banking channel for delivery of goods to their blood relations / relatives in Pakistan, which may be treated as export.

    Some stores outside Pakistan have contacted the manufacturers for delivery of goods in Pakistan. These stores in foreign countries will make consolidated payment in FE through banking channel to manufacturers in Pakistan.

    They have requested the manufacturers in Pakistan to send samples for booking of orders. The issue is that after payment of duty and taxes the goods made in

    Pakistan become more expensive.

    The Pakistanis expatriates abroad then prefers to purchase smuggled goods from the open market or send goods in baggage (better quality and less cost) declaring it as old and used goods after removing its packing etc.

    Store owners abroad have shown keen interest in booking Pakistani manufactured goods to be delivered in Pakistan.

    “It is, therefore, proposed that such goods, where orders are booked from abroad and foreign exchange is sent in Pakistan through banking channels, may be treated as exported goods and may be exempted from local duty and taxes or partial exemption may be given in the form of fixed duty drawback / rebate of tax to be notified.”