FBR halts POS prize scheme

FBR halts POS prize scheme

ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Tuesday halted the issuance of prizes through computerized balloting of invoices issued by point of sale (POS) of Tier-1 retailers.

The FBR suspended the draw that was to be held on November 15, 2022. The prize scheme was continuously held since its first draw on January 15, 2022. The FBR conducted 10 draw on 15th of every month.

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The FBR issued SRO No. 2042(I)/2022 to suspend the SRO 1005 of 2021 regarding POS Prize Scheme.

The prize scheme has been suspended till January 31, 2023 to make it more inclusive and participatory for the public. All invoices verified during intervening period will be included in the next prize draw.

“The new scheme will be launched after discussions with Tier-1 retailers, card acquirers, issuers, and other stakeholders. A new scheme would be launched very soon,” the FBR added.

Under the suspended scheme, the FBR had encouraged people to actively participate in the balloting to win prizes after buying from POS integrated retailers.

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The FBR previously issued a procedure for participating in the prize scheme.

The revenue body said that the customers of the integrated tier-1 retailers, whose names and CNICs are notified through random computerized draw shall be entitled to prizes in respect of their purchases from the integrated tier-1 retailers.

The customers shall verify the electronically generated invoice of integrated retailers either through the “tax asaan” application or by sending SMS to number 9966.

The application shall notify the customer regarding the status of the invoice either as “verified” or “unverified”.

In case of a verified invoice, the customer shall furnish one time, the following detail to the online system, namely:- Name; CNIC; and Mobile number.

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Names and CNICs of the customers shall be included in the random computerized draw upon fulfillment of the requirement.

In case of an unverified invoice, the customer shall report the same through the system. The Board shall conduct inquiry and take appropriate action under the relevant provisions of law.

The computerized draw for the prizes shall be held in the first week of every month at the FBR Headquarters and the invoices of the immediately preceding month shall be entered in the draw.

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Draw winners shall be required to perform biometric verification, at the nearest e-sahulat facility of NADRA and submit a scanned copy on the “tax assan” application. After successful biometric verification, winners shall be required to provide their IBAN through a “tax asaan” application.

The total prize money and the denomination of the prizes shall be decided on month to month basis by the Board.