Pkrevenue.com

Category: Top stories

Find top stories in this section. Pakistan Revenue brings you the latest and most important news from Pakistan and around the world, keeping you informed with key updates and insights.

  • Rupee falls 94 paisas to dollar in post Eid holidays

    Rupee falls 94 paisas to dollar in post Eid holidays

    KARACHI: The Pakistan Rupee (PKR) fell 94 paisas against the dollar on Friday due to higher external payment demand as the market opened after long holidays.

    The exchange rate ended at Rs186.63 to the dollar from previous closing on April 30, 2022 of Rs185.69 in the interbank foreign exchange market.

    READ MORE: Dollar gains six paisas against PKR in interbank

    Currency experts said that dollar demand remained high during the day because the market reopened after Eid holidays. The government announced the public holidays from May 02 to May 05, 2022 on account of Eid-ul-Fitr.

    The experts said that the rupee was also under pressure after the prices of crude oil rebounded in the international markets. Brent futures rose $2.08, or 1.88 per cent, to $112.98per barrel by 0922 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude climbed $2.00, or 1.85 per cent, to $110.26 a barrel, according to Reuters.

    READ MORE: Rupee gains 24 paisas to dollar in interbank

    Pakistan is net importer of petroleum products to meet its domestic demand. The country’s import bill was $14.81 billion during first nine months (July – March) 2021/2022 as compared with $7.55 billion in the corresponding period of the last fiscal year, showing a massive growth of 96 per cent. The oil bill is around 25 per cent of the total import bill of country.

    The depleting foreign exchange reserves are also putting pressure on the local currency.

    According to details released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the official reserves of the central bank fell by $328 million to $10.558 billion by week ended April 23, 2022 as compared with $10.886 billion a week ago. The net foreign exchange reserves of the SBP also include $3 billion from Saudi Arabia, which was deposited with the central bank to support balance of payment.

    READ MORE: Dollar appreciates 42 paisas against PKR

    The foreign exchange reserves of the country fell to $16.668 billion by week ended April 23, 2022 as compared with $17.045 billion by week ended April 16, 2022.

    Pakistan total import bills recorded an increase of 49 per cent to $58.87 billion during the first nine months of the current fiscal year as compared with $39.49 billion in the corresponding period of the last fiscal year.

    READ MORE: Rupee recovers third straight day against dollar

    This resulted in huge widening in trade deficit of 70 per cent. The trade deficit of the country swelled to $35.39 billion during first nine months of the current fiscal year as compared with the deficit of $20.8 billion in the corresponding months of the last fiscal year.

    The higher foreign outflows caused payment imbalances. The current account deficit ballooned to $12.1 billion during July-February 2021/2022 when compared with a surplus of $994 million in the same period of the last fiscal year.

  • Bitcoin plunges over 9%; biggest intraday fall

    Bitcoin plunges over 9%; biggest intraday fall

    KARACHI: The major digital currency i.e. Bitcoin (BTC) on Thursday fell over 9 per cent, the biggest intraday fall following the Federal Reserve’s meeting on Wednesday faded.

    (more…)
  • Murtaza Syed takes over SBP governor charge

    Murtaza Syed takes over SBP governor charge

    KARACHI: Dr. Murtaza Syed, most senior deputy governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), has taken over the charge as governor of the central bank.

    Dr. Murtaza Syed takes over the charge after Dr. Reza Baqir completed his three-year tenure as the governor of the SBP.

    READ MORE: Banks to remain closed during May 2 – 5, 2022

    “As the term of Governor SBP Dr. Reza Baqir has come to an end, as per law, the senior most deputy governor takes over until,” Finance Minister Miftah Ismail said in a Tweet.

    “Therefore, Dr. Murtaza Syed, an eminently qualified economist with rich IMF experience, will take over as Governor SBP,” he added.

    READ MORE: Court judgment: Riba is Haram in any form

    Dr. Raza Baqir, who completed his tenure on May 04, 2022, said in a statement: “I completed my 3 years as Governor of our central bank. Allah has been kind to give me the chance to serve my country in public office. To other fellow Pakistanis, especially overseas, I encourage you to consider public service.”

    READ MORE: SBP imposes penalty of Rs109 million on four banks

    Baqir said during his tenure he initiated many measures to counter the adverse impact of COVID-19. “SBP’s COVID response package and many new facilities for the first time in SBP history, which included TERF, Rozgar payroll loans, hospital financing etc.

  • Eid ul Fitr 2022 Mubarak

    Eid ul Fitr 2022 Mubarak

    PkRevenue.com wishes Happy Eid-ul-Fitr 2022 Mubarak to all valuable readers and followers.

    May the light of the moon fall directly on you and Allah bless you with everything you desire this day. Happy Eid! May Allah flood your life with love and happiness on this occasion, your heart with care and your mind with wisdom, wishing you Eid Mubarak. The most beautiful thing for me is to see you smiling

  • Pakistan considers fixing locally assembled car prices

    Pakistan considers fixing locally assembled car prices

    ISLAMABAD: The government of Pakistan is considering to fix prices of locally assembled cars in to order discourage abnormal price hike.

    According to an official statement on Monday, apropos frequent price hike of locally manufactured and assembled automobiles in past few months.

    READ MORE: OICCI suggests duty cut on locally manufactured cars

    Spokesperson has expressed concern over price surge and has taken a serious view about the frequent price increases by local automobile manufacturers/ assemblers.

    READ MORE: Return filing be made mandatory for account holders

    The spokesperson said that the situation was unacceptable, and the government might consider to initiate regulatory measures which may include fixation of prices under the Price Control Prevention of Profiteering and Hoarding Act, 1977.

    READ MORE: Unjustified audit notices annoy taxpayers

    Furthermore, he said that the cost structure and justification of price increase had been sought from local manufacturers and assemblers.

    READ MORE: Foreign investors demand inter-adjustment of tax refunds

  • FBR urged to make Google pin location must for retailers

    FBR urged to make Google pin location must for retailers

    KARACHI: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has been urged to make Google pin location mandatory for Tier-1 retailers to stop misusing sales tax registration for point of sales (POS).

    Pakistan Business Council (PBC) in its proposals for budget 2022/2023 submitted to the FBR proposed to make Google pin location for Tier-1 retailers.

    READ MORE: Commercial importers misusing tax registration

    The PBC suggested measures for preventing misuse of POS by importers who use fake registration profile of retailer.

    In order to avail / misuse reduced rate of sales tax at 12 per cent on supplies of textile (which is available on supply of finished textile article through integrated POS system for retail outlets), some unscrupulous persons, after importing raw materials get tolling bills issued in their name from other manufacturers.

    Thereafter, such imported raw material is being sold as finished textile article through POS integrated with FBR system to avail reduced sales tax rate of 12 per cent.

    READ MORE: FBR urged to massively reduce tax rates for return filers

    FBR, view notification dated January 4, 2022 has already clarified that bulk supply through POS is tantamount to be treated as wholesale and hence would be chargeable to standard rate of 17 per cent sales tax.

    To prevent this unscrupulous practice, the following should be made mandatory for entities whose imports are over 70 per cent of their output and who have a POS facility:

    a) Should declare the number of their retail shops and

    b) Provide the square ft. retail space, detailed address, and Google pin location of all the retail stores

    c) Report per shop per month sales volume and invoices along with the monthly sales tax return.

    READ MORE: Commercial importers’ under invoicing destroying industry

    Earlier, the PBC also highlighted practice of commercial importers misusing tax registration to avail lower rates.

    Considering the fact that most of the commercial importers have been misusing the lower rate of tax otherwise available to manufacturers, therefore, FBR has reduced down the rate of tax at import stage to 1 per cent/2 per cent/5.5 per cent [on the basis of HS codes] for manufacturers as well as commercial importers.

    READ MORE: FBR’s database mining suggested for new taxpayers

    However, instead of making rate of tax at par for both commercial importers and manufacturers, PBC recommends to place system-based controls to track those commercial importers involved in under invoicing and importing under the garb of registration as manufacturers.

  • FBR chairman replaced despite massive collection growth

    FBR chairman replaced despite massive collection growth

    ISLAMABAD: The new coalition government led by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif soon after taking oath replaced the chairman of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) despite massive growth in revenue collection during the current fiscal year.

    The government appointed Asim Ahmed as the new chairman of the FBR replacing Dr. Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmed.

    READ MORE: FBR surpasses collection target for July – April FY22

    Ashfaq Ahmed was appointed by the former PTI government on August 24, 2021. However, Asim Ahmed has been given the charge of the apex tax agency on April 27, 2022.

    Various quarters are now raising questions about the change of top brass at the FBR at a time when only two months left to complete the fiscal year 2021/2022.

    The FBR posted a massive growth in revenue collection during the tenure of Dr. Ashfaq Ahmed. The press release issued by the FBR is self explainatory about the performance of ex-FBR chairman.

    READ MORE: LTO Karachi posts 41% collection growth in 10 months

    The FBR collected net revenue of Rs 4,858 billion during July, 2021-April, 2022 of current Financial Year 2021-22, which has exceeded the target of by Rs 239 billion. This represents a growth of about 28.6 per cent over the collection of Rs 3,778 billion during the same period, last year.

    The net collection for the month of April, 2022 realized Rs 480 billion representing an increase of 24.9 per cent over Rs 384 billion collected in April, 2021.

    On the other hand, the gross collections increased from Rs 3,981 billion during July, 2020-April, 2021 to Rs 5,122 billion in current Financial Year July, 2021- April, 2022, showing an increase of 28.7 per cent.

    READ MORE: FBR issues sales tax refund rules for tractor manufacturers

    Finance Minister Miftah Ismail acknowledged the growth saying that FBR collected Rs 5122 billion in current FY (Jul 21- Apr 22) up from Rs 3981 billion during Jul 20-April 21, registering 28.7 per cent growth. Refunds of Rs Rs264 billion disbursed during July 2021-April 2022 compared to Rs 203 billion paid last year, up by 30.1 per cent. “The FBR team deserves appreciation”.

    A big factor in the increase however was increased imports. For instance, sales tax at import stage grew by 58 per cent while it declined by 2 per cent for local goods. “With the right mix of policies and tools I am sure this team will perform even better and to the expectations of the nation,” the finance minister added.

    READ MORE: Tax officials warned of strict action for private consultancy

    Shaukat Tarin, the former finance minister of PTI government, responded to the current finance minister, saying: “Miftah Bhai, if FBR has done such a good job, you should not have changed its Chairman.”

  • Pakistan’s inflation sharply up by 13.4% in April 2022

    Pakistan’s inflation sharply up by 13.4% in April 2022

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s headline inflation based on Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased sharply by 13.4 per cent in April 2022, according to details released on Sunday.

    Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) said that CPI inflation General, increased by 13.4 per cent on year-on-year basis in April 2022 as compared to an increase of 12.7 per cent in the previous in March 2022 and 11.1 per cent in April 2021.

    READ MORE: Pakistan’s headline inflation increases by 12.7% in March

    On month-on-month basis, it increased by 1.6 per cent in April 2022 as compared to increase of 0.8 per cent in March 2022 and increase of 1.0 per cent in April 2021.

    CPI inflation Urban, increased by 12.2 per cent on year-on-year basis in April 2022 as compared to an increase of 11.9 per cent in the previous month and 11.0 per cent in April 2021.

    READ MORE: Food inflation rural increases by 14.6% in February 2022

    On month-on-month basis, it increased by 1.6 per cent in April 2022 as compared to increase of 0.7 per cent in the previous month and increase of 1.3 per cent in April 2021.

    CPI inflation Rural, increased by 15.1 per cent on year-on-year basis in April 2022 as compared to an increase of 13.9 per cent in the previous month and 11.3 per cent in April 2021.

    On month-on-month basis, it increased by 1.6 per cent in April 2022 as compared to increase of 1.0 per cent in the previous month and increase of 0.6 per cent in April 2021.

    READ MORE: Pakistan’s inflation climbs up 24-month high in January

    Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) inflation on YoY increased by 14.2 per cent in April 2022 as compared to an increase of 13.0 per cent a month earlier and an increase of 21.3 per cent in April 2021.

    On MoM basis, it increased by 1.5 per cent in April 2022 as compared to increase of 0.6 per cent a month earlier and increase of 0.4 per cent in April 2021.

    READ MORE: Sales tax exempted on all petroleum products

    Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation on YoY basis increased by 28.1 per cent in April 2022 as compared to an increase of 23.8 per cent a month earlier and an increase of 16.6 per cent in April 2021.

    WPI inflation on MoM basis increased by 3.2 per cent in April 2022 as compared to increase of 3.9 per cent a month earlier and a decrease of -0.4 per cent in corresponding month i.e. April 2021.

  • FBR urged to massively reduce tax rates for return filers

    FBR urged to massively reduce tax rates for return filers

    KARACHI: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has been urged to massively reduce the withholding tax rates for annual filers of income tax returns in order to ease burden on compliant taxpayers.

    Pakistan Business Council (PBC) in its proposals for budget 2022/2022 submitted to the FBR, recommended reduction in withholding tax rates for return filers.

    READ MORE: Commercial importers’ under invoicing destroying industry

    It said difference in withholding tax rate between filers and non-filers is nominal. Discrimination in tax treatment of filers and non-filers is commendable.

    “However, this has now become a revenue measure with no effort to use the data collected to increase documentation and broaden the tax base,” the PBC said.

    READ MORE: FBR’s database mining suggested for new taxpayers

    It recommended that the withholding tax regime should be simplified by reducing the number of withholding provisions.

    The current withholding tax guide available on FBR website is a 48-page document as of 2021, which clearly shows the complexity of the regime from compliance and ease of doing business aspects.

    READ MORE: PBC recommends restriction on cash above certain limit

    “There needs to be a significant distinction in the withholding income tax rates charged from non-filers as compared with the rates for filers. The rates of filers need to be reduced so that not only the burden of complaint taxpayers is reduced, but also the cost of doing business for non-complaint persons is increased.”

    Earlier, the PBC urged the tax authorities to monitoring under invoicing and mis-declaration by commercial importers as those are destroying local industry.

    READ MORE: FBR proposed to exempt withholding tax on telecom services

    It further said that information regarding values at which various custom check posts clear import consignments is not publicly available. This encourages unscrupulous importers to under-declare the value of consignments to evade government revenues.

    “Values at which import shipments are cleared through PRAL or CARE need to be publicly available,” the PBC recommended.

  • FBR surpasses collection target for July – April FY22

    FBR surpasses collection target for July – April FY22

    ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has surpassed revenue collection target for the first 10 months (July – April) 2021/2022 (FY22) and collected Rs4.86 trillion, a statement said on Saturday.

    The provisional collection showed the FBR collected Rs4.86 trillion during the first ten months of the current fiscal year as against the target of Rs4.346 trillion. The FBR collected Rs239 billion above the revenue collection target.

    READ MORE: March collection up over 20% amid political unrest: FBR

    The revenue body also posted a growth of 28.6 per cent to collect Rs4.86 trillion during the period under review as compared with the revenue of Rs3.778 trillion in the corresponding months of the last fiscal year.

    READ MORE: FBR posts 30% revenue collection growth in 8MFY22

    The monthly collection showed an increase in collection of 25 per cent. The FBR collected Rs480 billion during April 2022 as compared with Rs383 billion in the same month of the last year.

    The FBR said that it had agreed to a target of Rs6.1 trillion with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). However, it was never made a target for revenue collection. The actual revenue collection target was Rs5.829 trillion for the fiscal year 2021/2022.

    READ MORE: FBR collects Rs2.92 trillion in first half of FY22

    The FBR would need Rs484.5 billion per month to achieve initial target of Rs 5.829 trillion and Rs 621 billion each in May and June to achieve revised target of Rs 6100 billion. The present government is determined to collect Rs.6100 in the current fiscal year.

    READ MORE: FBR eyes Rs6 trillion collection in current fiscal year