KARACHI: Electronic media and cable operators are required to pay adjustable advance tax at the time of obtaining new license or renewal of license.
According to updated Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 issued by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) shall collect the advance tax at the time of issuance of licence for distribution services or renewal of the licence to a licencee under Section 236F of the Ordinance.
Section 236F: Advance tax on cable operators and other electronic media
Sub-Section (1): Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, at the time of issuance of licence for distribution services or renewal of the licence to a licencee, shall collect advance tax at the rates specified in Division XIII of Part IV of the First Schedule.
(1) The rate of tax to be collected under section 236F in the case of Cable Television Operator shall be as follows:—
| License Category as provided in PEMRA Rules | Tax on License Fee | Tax on Renewal |
| H | Rs. 7,500 | Rs. 10,000 |
| H-I | Rs. 10,000 | Rs. 15,000 |
| H-II | Rs. 25,000 | Rs. 30,000 |
| R | Rs. 5,000 | Rs. 12,000 |
| B | Rs. 5,000 | Rs. 40,000 |
| B-1 | Rs. 30,000 | Rs. 35,000 |
| B-2 | Rs. 40,000 | Rs. 45,000 |
| B-3 | Rs. 50,000 | Rs. 75,000 |
| B-4 | Rs. 75,000 | Rs. 100,000 |
| B-5 | Rs. 87,500 | Rs. 150,000 |
| B-6 | Rs. 175,000 | Rs. 200,000 |
| B-7 | Rs. 262,500 | Rs. 300,000 |
| B-8 | Rs. 437,500 | Rs. 500,000 |
| B-9 | Rs. 700,000 | Rs. 800,000 |
| B-10 | Rs. 875,500 | Rs. 900,000 |
(2) The rate of tax to be collected by Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority under section 236F in the case of IPTV, FM Radio, MMDS, Mobile TV, Mobile Audio, Satellite TV Channel and Landing Rights, shall be 20 per cent of the permission fee or renewal fee, as the case may be.
“(3) In addition to tax collected under paragraph (2) Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority shall collect tax at the rate of fifty per cent of the permission fee or renewal fee, as the case may be, from every TV Channel on which foreign TV drama serial or a play in any language, other than English, is screened or viewed.”
Sub-Section (2): The tax collected under sub-section (1) shall be adjustable.
Sub-Section (3): For the purpose of this section, “cable television operator” “DTH”, “Distribution Service”, “electronic media”, “IPTV”, “loop holder”, “MMDS”, “mobile TV”, shall have the same meanings as defined in Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority Ordinance, 2002 (XIII of 2002) and rules made thereunder.
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