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Category: Taxation

Pakistan Revenue delivers the latest taxation news, covering income tax, sales tax, and customs duty. Stay updated with insights on tax policies, regulations, and financial developments in Pakistan.

  • FBR chairman warns unregistered industrial, commercial consumers of penal action

    FBR chairman warns unregistered industrial, commercial consumers of penal action

    ISLAMABAD: Syed Muhammad Shabbar Zaidi, Chairman, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Wednesday warned industrial and commercial consumers of gas and electricity to get registered with sales tax authorities, otherwise penal action will be initiated from July 01, 2019.

    Addressing a press conference, he said that currently there were around 341,174 industrial electricity connection and 7000 industrial gas connections, however compared to this the sales tax registration of industry was just 38,937, which he said was a huge gap.

    “It is my request to all industrial consumers to take advantage of the scheme before June 30 and may be it (the scheme) do not remain in the same shape after July 1st,” so the people using industrial utility connections should take advantage, the Chairman added.

    He said that there were possibilities that these industrial consumer connections might include some connections that come under cotton industry under law, however, added that there was dire need to check this huge difference.

    “It would be our desire that under the special clause placed in Asset Declaration Scheme, the industries falling in the category pay two percent to clear past liabilities,” the chairman added.

    He said that after July 1st, the FBR would make necessary legislation to get these industries and manufacturers registered and would also take actions.

    He urged the industrialists and manufacturers to take advantage of the Asset Declaration Scheme and clear their past sales tax liabilities by paying just two percent tax till June 30, 2019 or the law would take its due course after the expiry of the data.

    “A special clause has been included in the Asset Declaration Scheme, which was not included in it earlier, which is that if anybody is having sales tax liability he or she may clear these by paying just two percent tax,” the Chairman FBR, Muhammad Shabbar Zaidi said while addressing a press conference at FBR house here.

    He urged the media to sensitize people on the issue so that those avoiding to clear their past sales tax liabilities might realize this gap and get registered with FBR by taking advantage of the Asset Declaration Scheme.

    He said that the FBR would try its best to make it voluntary and do not indulge in harassment, as it wanted to create environment for the businesses.

    To a question, the FBR Chairman said that there were around 3.1 million commercial consumers, however added that the strategy on how to get the unregistered consumers to get registered with FBR would be shared with media.

    To another questions, the Chairman FBR said that there were over one lack companies registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), however just 50,000 were filing their returns.

    He said that it was high time for those having industrial connections to get registered with FBR and take benefit of the Tax Declaration Scheme.

    It is pertinent to mention here that the government last week had announced Asset Declaration Scheme, providing one more opportunity to all Pakistani citizens to declare and legalize undisclosed assets inside and outside the country by paying just four percent taxes on all assets other than real estate.

    The scheme would be applicable till June 30, and all Pakistan citizens, other than those holding public offices or their dependents, would be able to take benefit from it.

    The basic purpose of the scheme was to document economy and make the dead assets functional to promote economy by encouraging businessmen to participate in the legal economy.

  • FBR restructuring proposed to make autonomous body

    FBR restructuring proposed to make autonomous body

    KARACHI: The government has been proposed to make Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) as an autonomous body on similar line as State Bank of Pakistan.

    The Overseas Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) in its budget proposals for 2019/2020 suggested restructuring of FBR as an independent governing body.

    It suggested that FBR should be made an autonomous body on similar lines as State Bank of Pakistan, SECP, and Internal Revenue Services (IRS) of United States.

    FBR should operate and work in a corporate governance structure with a Board of Directors, vested with powers like that of the Boards of Public listed companies.

    The Chairman of FBR and fifty percent of the Board members may be nominated by the government (Ministries of Finance, Law, and Commerce) and, the remaining fifty percent Board members should be nominated by bodies like OICCI, PBC and ICAP.

    A transparent accountability system in tax administration should be introduced, and reasonable independence and empowerment given to various operational positions.

    The external audit of FBR should be done annually, by an independent international audit firm whose report should be presented and fully discussed in the Tax Policy Board meeting.

    There should also an Internal Audit function within the FBR for an effective ongoing internal audit reporting directly to the independent members of the Board nominated by the Trade bodies.

    Apart from revenue collection a key function of the FBR should be to address coordination issues between federal and provincial revenue authorities, with monthly meetings to ensure ease of doing business for taxpayers.

  • Car imports massively fall by 45pc in 10 months

    Car imports massively fall by 45pc in 10 months

    KARACHI: The import of motor cars sharply declined by 45 percent during first ten months of current fiscal year owing to restriction imposed of duty and tax payment through foreign currency account and verification of remittances through banks.

    According to officials statistics made available to PkRevenue.com on Tuesday, the import of cars in completely built unit (CBU) was at $213.37 million during July – April 2018/2019 as compared with $388.835 million in the corresponding period of the last fiscal year.

    The ministry of commerce through SRO 52(I)/2019 dated January 15, 2019 imposed the restriction of payment of duty and taxes through foreign remittances.

    The SRO stated: “All vehicles in new/used condition to be imported under transfer of residence, personal baggage or under gift scheme, the duty and taxes shall be paid out of foreign exchange arranged by Pakistan Nationals themselves or local recipient supported by bank encashment certificate showing conversion of foreign remittance to local currency, as under,

    a. the remittance for payment of duties and taxes shall originate from the account of Pakistani national sending the vehicle from abroad; and

    b. the remittance shall either be received in the account of Pakistani national sending the vehicle from abroad or, in case, his account is non-existent or inoperative, in the account of his family.”

    The customs sources said that the besides restrictions of the ministry of commerce the import of cars was also declined due to restriction on non-filers of income tax in registration with provincial registration authorities.

    Through Finance Act, 2018 the government imposed ban on non-filers for registering both imported and locally assembled cars. The government, however, lifted the ban on non-filers through Finance Supplementary (Second Amendment) Act, 2019 only for locally assembled cars.

  • FBR suggested reducing income tax rate for banks

    FBR suggested reducing income tax rate for banks

    KARACHI: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has been advised to reduce income tax rates for banking companies in line with general corporate tax rates.

    The Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) in its tax proposals for budget 2019/2020, said that the banking sector tax rates have not been reduced in line with the general corporate tax rates.

    Furthermore, Finance Supplementary (Second Amendment) Bill 2019, proposed to again amend the First Schedule to the Income Tax Ordinance 2001, whereby, Super Tax of 4 percent is applicable on banks from tax year 2018 to tax year 2021.

    The banks, in compliance with the prevailing taxation regime have already closed the tax year 2018 (accounting year 2017) and income tax returns have already been duly filed/assessed.

    As a result of the proposed abovementioned retrospective application from tax year 2018 (accounting year 2017), banks would now have to effectively pay super tax for two years or 8 percent instead of 4 percent in tax year 2019 i.e. 4 percent already paid in advance for tax year 2019 along with retrospective charge of 4 percent now being proposed for tax year 2018.

    The OICCI suggested that the tax rates of the banking sector should be aligned with other sectors.

    It is recommended, application of super tax on tax year 2018 should be removed to avoid the double charge of super tax in tax year 2019.

    Furthermore, it is requested that the same overall relief on super tax, granted to other industries, is also provided to the banking sector as well.

  • PTBA urges benefits for taxpayers opting out of PTR

    PTBA urges benefits for taxpayers opting out of PTR

    KARACHI: Pakistan Tax Bar Association (PTBA) has urged the tax authorities to give benefits to persons opting out of presumptive tax regime (PTR).

    In its proposals for budget 2019/2020, the apex tax bar said that through Finance Act, 2012 positive steps were taken for opting out of presumptive tax regime in respect of sale of goods, import and export of goods, subject to certain conditions, which were highly appreciated.

    The Finance Act, 2014, however reversed the amendments and in place thereof inserted new clauses (56B), (56C), (56D), (56E), (56F) and (56G); whereby certain persons may opt out of the final tax regime by filing the return of income along with accounts and documents as may be prescribed subject to the condition that their minimum tax liability under normal tax regime shall not be less than the tax already collected/deducted at the applicable rates of the respective Sections.

    The Finance Act, 2014 also inserted certain new clauses on similar lines. Under these clauses, the option to opt out of the final tax regime was provided to a person who provides services of stitching, dying, printing, embroidery, washing, sizing and weaving to exporters or an export house.

    Furthermore, petrol pump operators and persons earning commission or brokerage are also provided with such an option.

    Under the new clauses introduced by the Finance Act, 2014, the tax liability of persons is higher than the tax liability they were required to pay under the initiative introduced vide the Finance Act, 2012.

    “Furthermore, it should be noted that as per the current position of the law, the taxpayers would, in practice, not obtain any financial benefit by opting out of the presumptive regime and would instead be required to face the additional burdens and risks of tax audits,” the tax bar said.

    The PTBA said that the options introduced by the Finance Act, 2012 should be reintroduced or alternatively, as a first step the corporate sector is given option to opt out from presumptive taxation.

    The proposed modification may help starting the journey to tax real income instead of taxation under the PTR reduces the additional burdens imposed on the corporate sector.

  • Temporary import of arms, ammunition by foreign hunters allowed

    Temporary import of arms, ammunition by foreign hunters allowed

    ISLAMABAD: The ministry of commerce has allowed temporary import of arms and ammunition by foreign hunters by amending Import Policy Order, 2016.

    The ministry issued SRO 565(I)/2019 to amend Import Policy Order, 2016.

    It said: “Temporary import-cum-export of arms and ammunition by foreign hunters shall be allowed subject to NOC from the ministry of interior.”

  • SRB launches amnesty scheme for exemption from penalty

    SRB launches amnesty scheme for exemption from penalty

    KARACHI: Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) on Monday launched an amnesty scheme to exempt penalty amount on payable as sales tax on services.

    However, concession has been granted on the payment of default surcharge.

    The SRB issued notification stating that the provincial revenue board had exempted the whole of the amount of penalty and such of the amount of default surcharge as is in excess of the amount of default surcharge, provided that the principal amount of the tax and the following amount of the default surcharge thereon are deposited during the periods as specified below:

    (a) the principal amount of tax (as outstanding on May 21, 2019) along with 5 percent of the amount of default surcharge thereon if deposited during the period from May 21, 2019 to May 27, 2019.

    (b) the principal amount of tax (as outstanding on May 21, 2019) along with 10 percent of the amount of default surcharge thereon if deposited during the period from May 28, 2019 to June 03, 2019.

    (c) the principal amount of tax (as outstanding on May 21, 2019) along with 15 percent of the amount of default surcharge thereon if deposited during the period from June 04, 2019 to June 10, 2019.

    (d) the principal amount of tax (as outstanding on May 21, 2019) along with 20 percent of the amount of default surcharge thereon if deposited during the period from June 11, 2019 to June 20, 2019.

    (e) the principal amount of tax (as outstanding on May 21, 2019) along with 25 percent of the amount of default surcharge thereon if deposited during the period from June 21, 2019 to June 30, 2019.

    The SRB said that the word ‘deposited’, used in the notification, means deposited by means of the Computerized Payment Receipt (CPR) so generated.

    The SRB further said that benefits of exemption of penalty and default surcharge, as specified in the notification, shall also be available in relation to the arrears of the tax (so outstanding on the May 21, 2019) payable under Sindh Sales Tax Ordinance, 2000 and under the Sindh Sales Tax on Services Act, 2011 by:

    (i) persons who are liable to be registered under Section 24 of the Act but were not registered, provided that:

    (a) they get themselves registered with SRB in the prescribed manner during the aforementioned periods from May 20, 2019 to June 30, 2019;

    (b) they deposited their tax liabilities for the principal amount of tax along with the aforementioned percentage of the amount of default surcharge thereon in relation to the tax periods from the date of the commencement of their economic activity to the tax period of May 2019;

    (c) they also e-file their tax returns, for the tax periods from date of commencement of their economic activity of taxable services to the tax period May 2019 during the period from the date of this notification to June 30, 2019.

    Explanation: For the purpose of word ‘registered’ in the case of withholding agents shall mean ‘e-signed up’ in terms of Sindh Sales Tax Special Procedure (Withholding) Rules, 2014;

    (ii) persons who were registered but were non-filers or null-filers or nil-filers of their tax returns;

    (iii) persons who were late-registered with SRB and they did not file all of their tax returns for the tax periods from the date of commencement of their economic activity of taxable services;

    (iv) persons who withheld any amount of Sindh sales tax but have either not deposited that withheld amount in provincial government account or have deposited the withheld amount in a head of account other that the Sindh government’s head of account.

    (v) persons who determine the arrears through self-detection and self-assessment;

    (vi) persons who short-paid any amount of tax in their tax returns and persons against whom any arrears of tax was detected in SRB’s scrutiny of tax returns or in SRB’s audit of taxpayers’ record;

    (vii) persons against whom any tax amount has been determined or assessed or adjudged, by an officer of the SRB, through an order or decision passed under the Sindh Sales Tax on Services Act, 2011, or the rules/notification issued thereunder;

    (viii) persons against whom any tax liability has been adjudged or confirmed by the Commissioner (Appeals) or the Appellate Tribunal;

    (ix) persons whose cases are under assessment or under adjudication with any officer of the SRB or are pending, at the appellate stage with the Commissioner (Appeals) or with the Appellate Tribunal; and

    (x) persons whose cases are under litigation in any court of law including the High Court or the Supreme Court.

    The SRB said that the benefits of this notification, to the extent as specified below, shall also be available in case where a person has late paid the principal amount of tax prior to the date of this notification and/ or has not yet discharged the liability of penalty (whether the prescribed amount or the adjudged amount of the penalty) and the default surcharge on such late payment provided that he pays an amount equal to:

    (a) 5 percent of such amount of penalty and 15 percent of such amount of default surcharge (as outstanding on May 21, 2019) in provincial government account during the period from May 21, 2019 to June 3, 2019;

    (b) 10 percent of such amount of penalty and 20 percent of such amount of default surcharge (as outstanding on May 21, 2019) in provincial government account during the period from June 04, 2019 to June 20, 2019; and

    (c) 15 percent of such amount of penalty and 25 percent of such amount of default surcharge (as outstanding on May 21, 2019) in provincial government account during the period from June 20 21, 2019 to June 30, 2019.

    The SRB said that if the whole of the dues of the principal amount of tax and the aforementioned prescribed percentage of the amount of default surcharge thereon are paid by a person in terms of this notification, he shall not be prosecuted under Section 49 of the Act and the offence, to the extend of the arrears of the tax paid under this notification, shall also be compounded under Section 46 of the Act.

    The SRB further said that if the principal amount of the tax and the aforementioned percentage of the amount of the default surcharge thereon, as are paid in terms of this notification by the persons in clauses (vi) (vii) (viii) (ix) and (x) of paragraph 2 of the notification, are held to be not payable in view of the order issued by the respective competent authority (i.e. the adjudicating officer or the commissioner appeals or the appellate tribunal or the court of law), the officer of the SRB, not below the rank of an assistant commissioner, shall allow tax adjustment/credit of the amount or alternately, shall refund the amount, so paid, within 90 days from the date of receipt of the taxpayer’s application, for refund or for tax adjustment/credit, together with a copy of the order/judgment and also of the evidence that the incidence of the tax was not passed on to the service recipient.

    The SRB further said that the notification would not apply for refund or adjustment of any amount of tax or default surcharge or penalty as has already been paid or recovered on any date prior to May 21, 2019.

  • FBR issues draft rules to implement tax amnesty scheme 2019

    FBR issues draft rules to implement tax amnesty scheme 2019

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Monday notified draft rules to implement tax amnesty scheme 2019. The FBR invited comments or objections on the rules by May 22, 2019.

    According to the draft rules, the FBR notified following conditions for making declaration for foreign and domestic declaration:

    (1) For the purpose of incorporation of undisclosed assets and undisclosed expenditure declared under the Ordinance (asset declaration):

    (a) where income tax return for tax year 2018 has not been filed, the declarant shall, along with the declaration or such date as extended by the board [FBR], file

    (i) income tax return for the tax year 2018; and

    (ii) wealth statement or financial statement, as the case may be as on June 30, 2018.

    (b) Where income return for tax year 2018 has been filed under the provisions of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, the declarant shall, along with the declaration or such date as extended by the board, revise –

    (i) income tax return and financial statement filed for tax year 2018, if declarant is a company; or

    (ii) wealth statement, if the declarant is an individual or an association of persons.

    (2) Where as person declares undisclosed sales in terms of Section 3, he shall declare the undisclosed sales subject to the Sales Tax Act, 1990 and the Federal Excise Act, 2005 from July 2014 to June 2018, in the first sales tax and federal excise return, due after the declaration.

    (3) For the purpose of section 3 and 4 of the ordinance, in case of payment of tax of foreign assets –

    (a) the value of such assets shall be declared in respective foreign currency on Board’s website portal;

    (b) tax shall be paid in foreign currency as per procedure specified by the State Bank of Pakistan at the rate specified under the Ordinance; and

    (c) in case of tax payment after June 30, 2019 liability of tax and default surcharge shall be paid in foreign currency as per procedure specified by the SBP and will be calculated in Pak Rupee at an exchange rate prevailing on the date of payment.

    (4) For the purpose of clause (d) of Section 8 of the Ordinance, in case of foreign assets not being repatriated into Pakistan, if such assets represent cash or any other bearer assets, the same or its proceeds shall be deposited and retained in a foreign bank account of the declarant till June 30, 2019 and bank statement as evidence thereof, shall be provided by July 30, 2019 or such date as extended by the Board.

    (5) Payment of tax for original demand:

    For the purpose of sub-section (4) of Section 6 of the Ordinance, default surcharge and penalty shall not apply if, –

    (a) tax determined by an officer of Inland Revenue in the original order, is paid up to June 30, 2019;

    (b) such original order or an appellate order passed against such original order has not yet attained finality.

    Explanation: An original order passed by and officer of Inland Revenue or an appellate order passed by an appellate authority shall be taken to be final if no right of appeal has been provided against such orders or no appeal has been filed within the time limit prescribed under the applicable laws against such orders.

    (6) Payment of tax under other laws:

    For the purpose of Section 4, 12 and 16 of the Ordinance, where the declarant has paid tax under the Ordinance, no tax shall be payable by the declarant under the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, the Sales Tax Act, 1990 and Federal Excise Act, 2005 in respect of such undisclosed assets, undisclosed expenditure or undisclosed sales.

    (7) Revision of declaration:

    Any person who having filed a declaration hereinafter referred to as the ‘original declaration’ discovers any omission, mistakes, computational error or wrong statement therein may file revised declaration within the due date specified in Section 3 of the Ordinance subject to the condition that the value of assets and the tax paid thereon shall not be decreased.

  • Customs Intelligence Lahore to auction vehicles on May 23

    Customs Intelligence Lahore to auction vehicles on May 23

    LAHORE: Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation, Customs, Lahore has announced auction of vehicles to be held on May 23 at State Warehouse of the directorate.

    Following vehicles would be presented for the auction:

    1. Toyota progress car, 2927cc, 1999, JCJ11-0005820.

    2. BMW car 745I, 2003, WBAGL22000DP38322.

    3. Honda Civic Hybrid car, 1339cc, 2006, FD3-1006468.

    4. Honda Accord car CL-9, 2002, CL9-1000417.

    5. Toyota Mark-X car, 2005, GRX120-0025787.

    6. Honda Accord car (inspire), 2003, UCI-1007210.

    7. Jaguar X-Type 2.5 car, 2006, SAJAC51MX2XC26667.

    8. Toyota Crown car, 2003, JZS175-0064405.

    9. Toyota Crown car, 2001, JZS171-0075220.

    10. Toyota Crown car, 2007, GRS182-5014070.

    11. Honda Accord car, 2004, CL9-1050040.

    12. Triumph Heavy Motor cycle Colour Black, 2010, PROTOTYPEVH004CP2.

    13. Heavy Motor Cycle Yamaha Brand 1000cc made in Japan, R12000, JYARN041000003182.

    14. Toyota Vitz car, 2005, KSP90-0001037.

    15. Toyota Mark-X car Black, 2008, GRX120-3059202.

    16. Yamaha Dragstar Heavy Motor cycle 1100cc, 2002, VP10J-001201.

    17. Yamaha Heavy Motor cycle 500cc, 2006, JYASJ031000032395.

    18. Honda Heavy Bike 200cc, 2006, TA200-0034612.

    19. Honda Heavy Motor Cycle, 1992, 2073695.

    20. Toyota Mark-X Car 300, 2006, GRX121-1007695.

    21. Toyota Mark-X car 250, 2005, GRX120-3005684.

    22. BMW Car 750Li, 2002, WBAGN62040DE55989.

    23. Honda Civic car, 2006, FD3-1004522.

  • ICAP suggests reviewing extra tax on electricity, gas consumption by industrial, commercial consumers

    ICAP suggests reviewing extra tax on electricity, gas consumption by industrial, commercial consumers

    KARACHI: Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) has suggested the tax authorities to review imposition of extra sales tax on electricity and gas as this levy is passed unnecessarily to consumers by utility companies.

    The ICAP in its tax proposals for budget 2019/2020 submitted to Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) said that in terms of SRO 509(I)/2013 read with Special Procedures thereof, every electric power and gas distribution company / organization supplying electricity or gas to commercial and industrial consumers is required to charge and collect extra tax at 5 percent having monthly bill exceeding Rs15,000/- and which have either not provided their sales tax registration number or not appearing in the Active Taxpayers’ List.

    The ICAP said that to make reasonable amendments in SRO 509(I)/2013 considering the practical issues being faced by taxpayers as given below in “rational for change.”

    This SRO has posed following questions, as a result of which extra tax is unnecessarily being passed on by utility companies to its consumers:

    a) Majority of electricity connections / accounts are maintained in the name of person who possesses the ownership of commercial / industrial property.

    Therefore, particulars of the consumers available on sales tax registration certificate / upon FBR portal do not match with the name of the account holders.

    b) Banks, Insurance companies, Telecommunication companies, Large Multinational and other similar organizations operate through numerous business locations, manufacturing premises, facilitation offices, distribution & warehouses which, in most cases, are not in the name of such organizations.

    Further, sales tax registration particulars on FBR Portal do not reflect all such business places from which business operations are carried out.

    If the procedures envisaged in SRO 509 are followed, extra tax would be charged and collected from registered persons in respect of all of their electric connections, which are not in the name of such registered persons.

    Furthermore, updation of these particulars (e.g.business locations) on FBR database may take considerable time and Banks, Insurance companies, Telecommunication\ companies, Large Multinational which are already registered for sales tax, will have to bear extra tax of 5 percent on all such electric & gas connection just because they are not updated in their name over FBR Web Portal.

    c) Institutions owned by Federal and Provincial governments, defense organization, social sector institution and various other service providers are either not required to obtain sales tax registration number or are registered under Provincial Law.

    Hence, they neither possess any sales tax registration number nor are required to obtain any registration under the STA.

    However, most of the aforesaid organizations or institutions are commercial consumers and by virtue of the SRO, they are unnecessarily suffering extra tax.

    d) Cottage Industry, retailers, hospitals, various agencies, diplomatic missions, privileged persons and organizations have been specifically exempted under the Sixth Schedule to the STA and are not required to obtain registration.

    However, most of the aforesaid organizations or institutions are commercial consumers and by virtue of SRO, they are unnecessarily suffering extra tax.

    e) Payment of extra tax on accrual basis (bill basis) by utility companies in the backdrop of low recovery ratio / non-payment of electricity bill by government and private institutions poses a great liquidity threat to utility companies.

    “Hence, it is recommended that extra tax should be recovered on receipt basis, as it was never a tool for revenue generation but a penal provision to induce registration drive.”