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Category: Budget

This is parent category of budgets presented by Pakistan government. Here you will find year-wise federal and provincial budgets.

  • Persons not appearing in ATL will pay 100 percent increased withholding tax rate: FBR

    Persons not appearing in ATL will pay 100 percent increased withholding tax rate: FBR

    KARACHI: Persons whose names are not appearing in the Active Taxpayers List (ATL) will be subjected to hundred percent increased rate of withholding tax, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) said in a circular issued to explain changes made in Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 through Finance Act, 2019.

    The FBR issued Circular No. 19 of 2019 and said that prior to Finance Act, 2019 a concept of non-filer existed in the Ordinance whereby higher tax rates of withholding were prescribed for persons who were non-filers.

    Such non-filers could claim adjustment of the higher tax collected at the time of filing of income tax returns. The aim was to compel the non-filers to file their returns of income. “However, it was observed that the non-filers, even though subjected to higher withholding rates, still had a propensity not to file their returns,” the FBR said.

    This proved detrimental to exercise of expansion or tax base. This was due to the absence of an explicit provision specifying a standard procedure for action against such persons.

    Through Finance Act, 2019 the concept of non-filers has been done away with and a new concept regarding persons not appearing in the active taxpayers list has been introduced. This concept is a m ore paradigm shift from the erstwhile non-filer higher tax regime in that it not only penalizes those persons not appearing in the ATL but also introduces an effective mechanism for enforcing returns from such persons.

    In this regard a new section 100BA to Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 has been introduced which provides that collection or deduction of advance income tax, computation of income and tax payable thereon shall be determined in accordance with the rules in the newly introduced ‘The Tenth Schedule’ which envisages the entire path to be adopted by the Inland Revenue Department to enforce returns from persons who make financial transactions yet choose not to file their returns of income.

    The FBR said that the persons whose names are not appearing in the ATL will be subjected to 100 percent increased tax rate.

    The FBR further said that where a withholding agent is of the opinion that 100 percent increased tax is not required to be collected on the basis that the person was not required to file return, the withholding agent shall furnish a notice to the commissioner having jurisdiction over withholding agent setting out –

    a. The name, CNIC or NTN and address of the person not appearing in the ATL

    b. The nature and amount of the transaction on which tax is required to be collected or deducted; and

    c. Reason on the basis of which it is considered that the person was not required to file return or statement, as the case may be.

  • Unexplained foreign remittances will be subject to tax: FBR

    Unexplained foreign remittances will be subject to tax: FBR

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Tuesday said that unexplained foreign remittances will be subject to income tax.

    (more…)
  • FBR sets 200pc penalty for offshore tax evasion

    FBR sets 200pc penalty for offshore tax evasion

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Tuesday said the amended income tax law attract 200 percent penalty amount of tax evaded in cases of undeclared offshore assets.

    The FBR issued income tax circular to explain the changes brought through Finance Act, 2019 regarding offshore assets and tax evasion.

    The FBR said that through the Finance Act, 2019, the term “offshore Assets” has been defined by inserting a new clause (38AA) in section 2 of Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, which includes any movable or immovable assets held, any again, profit or income derived, or any expenditure incurred outside Pakistan.

    The term “offshore evader” has been defined by inserting a new clause (38AB) in section 2 and it means a person who owns, possesses, control, or is the beneficial owner of an offshore assets and dos not declare, or under declares or provides inaccurate particulars of such assets to the Commissioners.

    Penalty has also been provided in serial No. 22 in sub section (1) of section 182 that where an offshore tax evader is involved in offshore tax evasion in the course of any proceedings under this Ordinance before any Income Tax authority or the appellate tribunal, such person shall pay a penalty of Rs100,000 or an amount equal to 200 percent of the tax sought to be evaded, whichever is higher.

    Prosecution for concealment of an offshore assets has been provided by inserting a new section 192B according to which any person who fails to declare an offshore assets to the Commissioner or furnishes inaccurate particulars of an offshore assets and the revenue impact of such concealment or furnishing of inaccurate particulars is ten million rupees or more shall commit an offence punishable on conviction with imprisonment up to three years or with a fine up to Rs. 500,000, or both.

    A new sub-section (5) has been added in section 145 as per which the Commissioner may freeze any domestic assets of a person where on the basis of information received from an offshore jurisdiction, the Commissioner has reason to believe the such person who is likely to leave Pakistan may be involved in offshore tax evasion or such person is about to dispose of any assets.

    The Commissioner may freeze any domestic assets of the person including any assets beneficially owned by such person for a period of 120 days or till the finalization of proceedings including recovery proceedings and any other proceeding under the Ordinance, whichever is earlier.

    The term “offshore enabler” has been defined by inserting a new clause (38AC) in section 2 to include any person who enables, assist, or advises any person to plan, design, arrange or manage a transaction or declaration relating to an offshore assets, which has resulted or may result in tax evasion.

    Penalty has been provided in serial no.23 of sub-section (1) of section 182 that where in the course of any transaction or declaration made by a person an enabler has enabled, guided, advised or managed any person to design, arrange or manage that transaction or declaration in such a manner which has resulted or may result in offshore tax evasion in the course of any proceedings under the Ordinance, such person shall pay a penalty of Rs 300,000 or an amount equal to 200 percent of the tax which was sought to be evaded, whichever is higher.

    Prosecution for enabling offshore tax evasion has been provided by inserting a new section 195B to the effect that any enabler who enables, guides or advises any person to design, arrange or manage a transaction or declaration in such a manner which results in offshore tax evasion, shall commit an offence punishable on conviction with imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years or with a fine up to five million rupees or both.

    The term “asset move “has been defined by inserting a new clause(5C) in section 2 and it means the transfer of non offshore assets to an unspecified jurisdiction by or an behalf of a person who owns, possesses, controls or is the beneficial owner of such offshore asset for the purpose of tax evasion.

    An unspecified jurisdiction means a jurisdiction which has not committed to automatically exchange information under the Common Reporting Standard with Pakistan. The term “specified jurisdiction “has been defined by inserting a new clause (60A) in section 2 and it means any jurisdiction which has committed to automatically exchange information under Common Reporting Standard with Pakistan.

    Penalty has also been provided in serial 24 of sub-section (1) of section 182 that any person who is involved in asset move from specified to un-specified territory shall pay a penalty of Rs. 100,000 or an amount equal to 100 percent of the tax, whichever is higher.

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    FBR makes mandatory purchase of immovable property through banking channel

  • FBR makes mandatory purchase of immovable property through banking channel

    FBR makes mandatory purchase of immovable property through banking channel

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has made mandatory the purchase of immovable property of fair market value above Rs5 million through banking channel.

    The FBR issued explanation to the Finance Act, 2019 on Tuesday regarding purchase of assets through banking channel under Section 75A of Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.

    The FBR said that a new section 75A has been introduced in the Ordinance which requires that no person shall purchase immovable property having fair market value greater than Rs.5,000,000 or any other asset having fair market value more than Rs.1,000,000 otherwise than by a crossed cheque drawn on a bank or through crossed demand draft or crossed pay order or any other crossed banking instrument showing transfer of amount from one bank account to another bank account.

    Fair market value of immovable property shall be the value notified by the Board under sub-section (4) of section 68 or the value fixed by provincial authority for the purpose of stamp duty, whichever is higher.

    In case the transaction is not through banking channel as specified above,-

    (a) such person cannot claim deductions mentioned in sections 22,23,24 & 25 on such assets. Hence, no deduction for depreciation, initial allowance, intangibles and pre-commencement expenditure shall be allowable for assets purchased otherwise than through banking channel as specified above;

    (b) the amount of purchased through cash which was required to paid through banking channel as stated above, shall not be treated as cost as per section 76 for computation of any gain in sale of such asset.
    Further, any person purchasing immovable property having fair market value greater than five million through cash or bearer cheque shall pay a penalty of 5% of the value of property determined by the Board under sub-section (4) of section 68 or the value determined by the provincial authority for the purposes of stamp duty, whichever is higher.

    The above provisions of law are illustrated through the following examples.

    Example 1

    Mr A is deriving income from business and has declared taxable income as under.

    Sale: 100,000,000.

    Cost of sales: 70,000,000.

    Breakup of cost of sale

    Initial depreciation on machinery: 10,000,000.

    Normal depreciation of machinery: 6,000,000.

    Salaries: 40,000,000.

    Fuel and utilities: 14,000,000.

    Gross profit: 30,000,000.

    Admin & distribution expenses: 10,000,000

    Taxable income: 20,000,000

    Mr. A had bought machinery of Rs40 million for the year through cash. As per section 75A, business deduction under section 22 & 23 pertaining to initial depreciation of Rs10,000,000 and normal depreciation of Rs6,000,000 shall not be admissible. Hence, Rs16,000,000 will be added in taxable income resulting in taxable income of Rs36,000,000.

    Mr. A subsequently sells the machinery after three years at Rs12,000,000. For the purpose of computing gain, the cost of the asset has to be deducted from the sale price but in this case, the machinery was purchased through cash, hence, the cash amount cannot be treated as cost. Resultantly, Rs12,000,000 will be treated as gain chargeable to tax under the head “income from business”.

    Example 2.

    Mr. B derives income from salary only. He has purchased immovable property through cash and the FBR value of the property is Rs8,000,000 but the DC value of property for the purpose of stamp duty is Rs6,000,000. As per serial No. 21 of section 182, penalty at 5 percent of FBR value of property of DC value, whichever is higher, is to be imposed. In this case, the FBR value of property is greater than DC value, hence penalty shall be imposed at 5 percent of Rs8,000,000 at Rs400,000.

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    FBR allows reduced duty rates for import of certain CBU vehicles

  • CNIC condition not applicable on purchases below Rs50,000

    CNIC condition not applicable on purchases below Rs50,000

    KARACHI: The condition of providing CNIC details is not applicable on purchases up to Rs50,000 by a person, said Zeeshan Merchant, former vice president of Karachi Tax Bar Association (KTBA).

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  • Elimination of zero rating, other policy and administrative measures to generate Rs733.47 billion

    Elimination of zero rating, other policy and administrative measures to generate Rs733.47 billion

    KARACHI: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to generate additional revenue of Rs733.47 billion during current fiscal year after abolishing zero-rating of sales tax and other policy and administrative measures.

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  • Key points of Pakistan’s revenue driven fiscal consolidation

    Key points of Pakistan’s revenue driven fiscal consolidation

    KARACHI: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has highlighted points of Pakistan’s budget 2019/2020 which envisaged a substantial revenue driven fiscal consolidation.

    “The FY 2019/20 budget envisages a substantial fiscal consolidation. The primary deficit is expected to decline to 0.6 percent of GDP, from estimated 1.8 percent of GDP in FY 2018/2019,” the IMF said in the country report on Pakistan issued on Monday after a successful $6 billion loan program for the country.

    The report said that the envisaged fiscal consolidation will be largely revenue driven:

    a) Sales tax measures are mostly focused on simplifying the system by eliminating numerous exemptions and preferential rates and enhancing the sales tax of petroleum products. In particular, exemptions granted to four export-oriented sectors for domestically sold products will be eliminated, together with non-essential food related products exemptions.

    Moreover, preferential rates related to sugar, steel sector, edible oil, medium and large retailers will also be eliminated and aligned with the standard 17 percent sale tax rate.

    b) Income tax measures will aim at widening the tax base and closing the loopholes that are fostering tax avoidance.

    The income tax threshold will be reduced for salaried and non-salaried individuals to PRs 600,000 and PRs 400,000 respectively, and the tax rate at the top of income distribution increased.

    The collection of withholding tax on telecom services that had been stalled in the court will be resumed, and tax credit available for machinery investment and to non-profit organizations will be rationalized.

    The FBR will also align the value of immovable properties with market rates and specify conditions under which the long-term lease hold will be considered as the purchase of property.

    In addition, the minimum tax rate will increase and taxation of gifts from unrelated persons will be introduced.

    c) Federal excise duties on certain products will be introduced or increased (cigarettes, sugary drinks, cement); while

    d) custom duty measures will eliminate the exemptions on import of liquified natural gas and increase the additional custom duty for finished and luxury goods.

    e) Revenue administration measures will support policy implementation. The emphasis will be given to the modernization and digitalization of FBR functions, improvement of the database and the streamlining of legal procedures.

    To strengthen the collection of excises on cigarettes and eliminate illicit trade, the track-and-trace system will we implemented in the second quarter of the year.

  • Reduced sales tax rates on supply of gold, jewelry imposed

    Reduced sales tax rates on supply of gold, jewelry imposed

    The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced significant amendments through the Finance Act, 2019, bringing gold, jewelry, and other precious articles into the sales tax ambit by implementing reduced rates on supplies.

    (more…)
  • FBR allows reduced duty rates for import of certain CBU vehicles

    FBR allows reduced duty rates for import of certain CBU vehicles

    KARACHI: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has allowed reduced rate of customs duty on import of certain automotive vehicles in Completely Built Units (CBUs) under Automotive Development Policy 2016-2020.

    (more…)
  • Aviation industry allowed duty free import of aircraft, spare parts

    Aviation industry allowed duty free import of aircraft, spare parts

    KARACHI: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has allowed duty free import of aviation related goods including aircraft and spare parts under National Aviation Policy 2015.

    According to Finance Act, 2019 following goods related to aviation have been allowed duty free import:

    1. Aircraft HS Code 8802.4000 at zero percent customs duty under condition whether imported or acquired on wet or dry lease. In case of M/s Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Corporation this exemption shall be admissible on and from the 19th March, 2015.

    2. Spare parts Respective headings at zero percent for use in aircraft, trainer aircraft and simulators.

    3. Maintenance Kits Respective headings at zero percent for use in trainer aircraft (8802.2000 & 8802.3000).

    4. Machinery, equipment & tools respective headings at zero percent for setting up Maintenance, Repair & Overall (MRO) workshop by MRO company recognized by Aviation Division.

    5. Machinery, equipment, operational tools, furniture& fixture respective headings at zero percent on one time basis for exclusive use of New/Greenfield airports by company authorized by Aviation Division.

    6. Aviation simulators Respective headings zero percent on one time basis for aircrafts by airline company recognized by Aviation Division.

    The FBR said that for the purposes of this Part, the following conditions shall apply besides the conditions as specified in column (5) of the Table below:—

    (i) the Chief Executive, or the person next in hierarchy duly authorized by the Chief Executive or Head of the importing company shall certify that the imported goods/items are the company’s bonafide requirement. He shall furnish all relevant information online to Pakistan Customs Computerized System against a specific user ID and password obtained under section 155D of the Customs Act, 1969 (IV of 1969). In already computerized Collectorates or Customs stations where the Pakistan Customs Computerized System is not operational, the Director Reforms and Automation or any other person authorized by the Collector in this behalf shall enter the requisite information in the Pakistan Customs Computerized System on daily basis, whereas entry of the data obtained from the customs stations which have not yet been computerized shall be made on weekly basis;

    (ii) the exemption shall be admissible on production of certificate by the Aviation Division, Government of Pakistan to the effect that the intending importer is operating in the country or intends to operate in the county in the airline sector;

    (iii) the list of imported items is duly approved by the Aviation Division, Government of Pakistan in line with Policy Framework approved by the Government of Pakistan;

    (iv) the Chief Executive, or the person next in hierarchy duly authorized by the Chief Executive or Head of the importing company shall furnish an undertaking to the customs authority at the time of import that the goods imported shall be used for the purpose as defined/notified by the Aviation Division, Government of Pakistan under the Aviation Policy; and

    (v) in case of deviation from the above stipulations, the Collector of Customs shall initiate proceedings for recovery of duty and taxes under the relevant laws.