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  • Income Tax Ordinance 2001: advance tax on cash withdrawal

    Income Tax Ordinance 2001: advance tax on cash withdrawal

    KARACHI: Every banking company is responsible for deducting and collecting a certain percentage of tax on cash withdrawal on Rs50,000 per day from an account.

    Since passage of Finance Supplementary (Second Amendment) Bill, 2019 from the parliament, the tax is no more on withdrawal by a filer of income tax return.

    Therefore, this tax is only be deducted on withdrawal by non-filer of income tax return at the rate of 0.6 percent on cash withdrawal of Rs50,000 per day.

    The tax is deducted under Section 231 of Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.
    Section 231A: Cash withdrawal from a bank.—

    Sub-Section (1): Every banking company shall deduct tax at the rate specified in Division VI of Part IV of the First Schedule, if the payment for cash withdrawal, or the sum total of the payments for cash withdrawal in a day, exceeds fifty thousand rupees.

    “Explanation.- For removal of doubt, it is clarified that the said fifty thousand rupees shall be aggregate withdrawals from all the bank accounts in a single day.”

    Section 231AA: Advance tax on transactions in bank

    Sub-Section (1): Every banking company, non-banking financial institution, exchange company or any authorized dealer of foreign exchange shall collect advance tax at the time of sale against cash of any instrument, including Demand Draft, Pay Order, CDR, STDR, SDR, RTC, or any other instrument of bearer nature or on receipt of cash on cancellation of any of these instruments.

    Sub-Section (2): Every banking company, non-banking financial institution, exchange company or any authorized dealer of foreign exchange shall collect advance tax at the time of transfer of any sum against cash through online transfer, telegraphic transfer, mail transfer or any other mode of electronic transfer.

    Sub-Section (3): The advance tax under this section shall be collected at the rate specified in Division VIA of Part IV of the First Schedule, where the sum total of payments for transactions mentioned in sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) as the case may be, exceed twenty-five thousand rupees in a day.

  • New tax amnesty scheme to be considered: Asad Umar

    New tax amnesty scheme to be considered: Asad Umar

    Finance Minister Asad Umar announced on Saturday that the government is contemplating the implementation of a new tax amnesty scheme, driven by proposals received from the business community.

    (more…)
  • Rupee gains 20 paisas on foreign inflows

    Rupee gains 20 paisas on foreign inflows

    KARACHI: Pak Rupee gained 20 paisas against US dollar in open market on Saturday on reports of foreign inflows from friendly countries.

    The buying and selling of dollar was recorded at Rs138.30/Rs138.80 from previous day’s closing of Rs138.50/Rs139.00 in cash free market.

    Currency experts said that the signing of financing between State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) for deposit of $2 billion helped the local currency to gain.

    They further said that the local currency would strengthen during the next week owing to foreign inflows.

  • SBP signs $2bn deposit pact with ADFD

    SBP signs $2bn deposit pact with ADFD

    KARACHI: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has signed $2 billion deposit agreement with Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, a statement said on Saturday.

    The agreement for the placement of the second tranche of US$ 2.0 billion by Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has been signed between the SBP and the ADFD. These funds are expected to be received shortly by SBP.

    It may be recalled that the first tranche of US$ 1.0 billion has already been received by SBP in January 2019.

  • Legislation to encourage tax non-compliance

    Legislation to encourage tax non-compliance

    KARACHI: All efforts of tax collecting agency in broadening of tax base will be in vain due to changes introduced to tax laws by the present government, which allows non-compliant taxpayers to make transactions.

    The government through Finance Supplementary (Second Amendment) Bill, 2019, which was passed by the national assembly, allowed non-filers of income tax returns to purchase locally assembled motor vehicles of any engine capacity.

    Though the decision was made to generate more revenue through high rate of withholding tax for non-filers but this would discourage compliant taxpayers.

    Whereas through Finance Act, 2018 a Section 182A late filers of income tax returns have been deprived of appearing on the Active Taxpayers List (ATL), which is mandatory for availing reduced withholding tax rates applicable on various transactions for compliant taxpayers.

    In a realistic approach if the government allowed late filers, who filed their returns after due date, to appear on the ATL then more people would file their returns in order to purchase motor vehicles as it has been done in the case of purchasing immovable properties.

    Another change brought through Finance Supplementary (Second Amendment) Bill, 2019 was allowing commercial importers into Final Tax Regime (FTR).

    It is surprising that business community belonging to industrial associations strongly proposed bringing commercial importers into the FTR from minimum tax regime, where tax rates are comparatively lower.

    It is obvious that the commercial importers do not want to declare their transactions and want to stay remain out of audit proceedings.

    The government has already allowed several concessions and exemptions to industrial sector, especially the export sector for importing raw material.

    Allowing commercial importers an audit free regime when the country is facing challenges of money laundering will be problematic.

    It is pertinent to mention here that associations of foreign investors and multinational companies do not want relaxation to commercial importers and termed it would be counterproductive for documentation of economy.

  • Income Tax Ordinance 2001: offences and penalties

    Income Tax Ordinance 2001: offences and penalties

    KARACHI: Any person who commits any offence under provisions of Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, he may be liable to penalty.

    According to updated Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 issued by Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Section 182 explains the offenses and penalty under the Ordinance:

    01. Where any person fails to furnish a return of income as required under section 114 within the due date. Section 114 and 118

    — Such person shall pay a penalty equal to 0.1 percent of the tax payable in respect of that tax year for each day of default subject to a maximum penalty of 50 percent of the tax payable provided that if the penalty worked out as aforesaid is less than twenty thousand rupees or no tax is payable for that tax year such person shall pay a penalty of twenty thousand rupees:

    Explanation.— For the purposes of this entry, it is declared that the

    expression “tax payable” means tax chargeable on the taxable income on the basis of assessment made or treated to have been made under section 120, 121, 122 or 122C.

    01A.Where any person fails to furnish a statement as required under section 115, 165, or 165A, 165A or 165B within the due date. Sections 115, 165 and 165A, 165A and 165B

    — Such person shall pay a penalty of Rs.5000 if the person had already paid the tax collected or withheld by him within the due date for payment and the statement is filed within ninety days from the due date for filing the statement and, in all other cases, a penalty of Rs.2500 for each day of default from the due date subject to a minimum penalty of Rs. 10,000.

    01AA. Where any person fails to furnish wealth statement or wealth reconciliation statement. Sections 114, 115 and 116

    — Such person shall pay a penalty of “0.1 percent of the taxable income per week or Rs.20,000 whichever is higher.”

    01AAA. Where any person fails to furnish a foreign assets and income statement within the due date. Section 116A

    — Such persons shall pay a penalty of 2 percent of the foreign income or value of the foreign assets for each year of default.

    02. Any person who fails to issue cash memo or invoice or receipt when required under this Ordinance or the rules made thereunder. Section 174 and Chapter VII of the Income Tax Rules.

    — Such person shall pay a penalty of five thousand rupees or three per cent of the amount of the tax involved, whichever is higher.

    03. Any person who is required to apply for registration under this Ordinance but fails to make an application for registration. Section 181

    — Such person shall pay a penalty of five thousand rupees.

    04. Any person who fails to notify the changes of material nature in the particulars of registration. Section 181

    — Such person shall pay a penalty of five thousand rupees.

    05. Any person who fails to deposit the amount of tax due or any part thereof in the time or manner laid down under this Ordinance or rules made thereunder.

    Provided that if the person opts to pay the tax due on the basis of an order under section 129 on or before the due date given in the notice under sub-section (2) of section 137 issued in consequence of the said order, and does not file an appeal under section 131 the penalty payable shall be reduced by 50 percent. Section 137

    — Such person shall pay a penalty of five per cent of the amount of the tax in default.

    For the second default an additional penalty of 25 percent of the amount of tax in default.

    For the third and subsequent defaults an additional penalty of 50 percent of the amount of tax in default.

    06. Any person who repeats erroneous calculation in the return for more than one year whereby amount of tax less than the actual tax payable under this Ordinance is paid. Section 137

    — Such person shall pay a penalty of five thousand rupees or three per cent of the amount of the tax involved, whichever is higher.

    07.Any person who fails to maintain records required under this Ordinance or the rules made thereunder. Sections 174 and 108

    — Such person shall pay a penalty of ten thousand rupees or five per cent of the amount of tax on income whichever is higher.

    08. Where a taxpayer who, without any reasonable cause, in non-compliance with provisions of section 177—

    (a) fails to produce the record of documents on receipt of first notice.

    — Such person shall pay a penalty of twenty-five thousand rupees;

    (b) fails to produce the record or documents on receipt of second notice;

    — such person shall pay a penalty of fifty thousand rupees; and

    (c) Fails to produce the record or documents on receipt of third notice.

    — such person shall pay a penalty of one hundred thousand rupees.

    09. Any person who fails to furnish the information required or to comply with any other term of the notice served under section 176 or 108.

    — Such person shall pay a penalty of twenty-five thousand rupees for the first default and fifty thousand rupees for each subsequent default.

    10. Any person who –

    (a) makes a false or misleading statement to an Inland Revenue Authority either in writing or orally or electronically including a statement in an application, certificate, declaration, notification, return, objection or other document including books of accounts made, prepared, given, filed or furnished under this Ordinance;

    (b)furnishes or files a false or mis-leading information or document or statement to an Income Tax Authorityeither in writing or orallyor electronically;

    (c) omits from a statement made or information furnished to an Income Tax Authority any matter or thing without which the statementor the information is false or misleading in a material particular.

    Sections 114, 115, 116, 174, 176, 177 and general

    — Such person shall pay a penalty of twenty five thousand rupees or100 percent of the amount of tax shortfall whichever is higher:

    Provided that in case of an assessment order deemed under section 120, no penalty shall be imposed to the extent of the tax shortfall occurring as a result of the taxpayer taking a reasonably arguable position on the application of this Ordinance to the taxpayers’ position.

    11. Any person who denies or obstructs the access of the Commissioner or any officer authorized by the Commissioner to the premises, place, accounts, documents, computers or stocks. Sections 175 and 177

    — Such person shall pay a penalty of twenty five thousand rupees or one hundred per cent of the amount of tax involved, whichever, is higher.

    12. Where a person has concealed income or furnished inaccurate particulars of such income, including but not limited to the suppression of any income or amount chargeable to tax, the claiming of any deduction for any expenditure not actually incurred or any act referred to in sub-section (1) of section 111, in the course of any proceeding under this Ordinance before any Income Tax authority or the appellate tribunal. Sections 20, 111 and general

    — Such person shall pay a penalty of twenty five thousand rupees or an amount equal to the tax which the person sought to evade whichever is higher. However, no penalty shall be payable on mere disallowance of a claim of exemption from tax of any income or amount declared by a person or mere disallowance of any expenditure declared by a person to be deductible, unless it is proved that the person made the claim knowing it to be wrong.

    13. Any person who obstructs any Income Tax Authority in the performance of his official duties. Sections 209, 210 and general

    — Such person shall pay a penalty of twenty five thousand rupees.

    14. Any person who contravenes any of the provision of this Ordinance for which no penalty has, specifically, been provided in this section.

    — Such person shall pay a penalty of five thousand rupees or three per cent of the amount of tax involved, which-ever is higher.

    15. Any person who fails to collect or deduct tax as required under any provision of this Ordinance or fails to pay the tax collected or deducted as required under section 160. Sections 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 153A, 154, 155, 156, 156A, 156B, 158, 160, 231A, 231B, 233, 233A, 234, 234A, 235, 236, 236A.

    — Such person shall pay a penalty of twenty five thousand rupees or the 10 percent of the amount of tax which-ever is higher.

    16. Any person who fails to display his NTN at the place of business as required under this Ordinance or the rules made thereunder. Section 181C

    — Such person shall pay a penalty of five thousand rupees.

    17. Any reporting financial institution or reporting entity who fails to furnish information or country-by-country report to the Board as required under section 107, 108 or 165B within the due date.

    — Such reporting financial institution or reporting entity shall pay a penalty of two thousand rupees for each day of default subject to a minimum penalty of twenty five thousand rupees.

    18. Any person who fails to keep and maintain document and information required under section 108 or Income Tax Rules, 2002. Section 108

    — 1 percent of the value of transactions, the record of which is required to be maintained under section 108 and Income Tax Rules, 2002.

    19. Where any manufacturer of a motor vehicle accepts or processes any application for booking or purchase of a locally manufactured motor vehicle in violation of the provisions of clause (a) of section 227C

    — Such person shall pay a penalty of 5 percent of the value of the motor vehicle

    20. (i) Where any registering authority of Excise and Taxation Department accepts, processes or registers any application for registration of a locally manufactured motor vehicle or for the first registration of an imported vehicle in violation of the provisions of clause (a) of section 227C

    (ii) Where any authority responsible for registering, recording or attesting the transfer of immovable property accepts or processes the registration or attestation of such property in violation of the provisions of clause (b) of section 227C

    — Such person shall pay a penalty of 3 percent of the value of motor vehicle or immovable property.

    (2) The penalties specified under sub-section (1) shall be applied in a consistent manner and no penalty shall be payable unless an order in writing is passed by the Commissioner, Commissioner (Appeals) or the Appellate Tribunal after providing an opportunity of being heard to the person concerned:

    Provided that where the taxpayer admits his default he may voluntarily pay the amount of penalty due under this section.

    (3) Where a Commissioner (Appeals) or the Appellate Tribunal makes an order under sub-section (2), the Commissioner (Appeals) or the Appellate Tribunal, as the case may be, shall immediately serve a copy of the order on the Commissioner and thereupon all the provision of this Ordinance relating to the recovery of penalty shall apply as if the order was made by the Commissioner.

  • Weekly Review: market to stay range bound

    Weekly Review: market to stay range bound

    KARACHI: The equity market to stay range bound during next week after end of results season and ease in tension between Pakistan and India.

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  • FBR unveils basic concepts of income tax

    FBR unveils basic concepts of income tax

    KARACHI: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has pointed out basic concepts of income tax for persons intending to get registration and filing income tax returns.

    The FBR said that knowledge of basic concepts would not only ensure that the tasks are performed easily but also in the prescribed manner.

    Taxable Income

    Taxable Income means Total Income reduced by donations qualifying straight for deductions and certain deductible allowances.

    Total Income

    Total Income is the aggregate of Income chargeable to Tax under each head of Income.

    Head of Income

    Under the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, all Income are broadly divided into following five heads of Income:

    Salary;

    Income from property;

    Income from business;

    Capital gains; and

    Income from Other Sources

    Resident

    An Association of Persons is Resident for a Tax Year if the control and management of its affairs is situated wholly or partly in Pakistan at any time in that year;

    A Company is Resident for a Tax Year if :

    It is incorporated or formed by or under any law in force in Pakistan;

    The control and management of its affairs is situated wholly in Pakistan at any time in the year; or

    It is a Provincial Government or a local Government in Pakistan.

    An individual is Resident for a Tax Year if he/she:

    Is present in Pakistan for a period of, or periods amounting in aggregate to, 183 days or more in the Tax Year; or

    Is an employee or official of the Federal Government or a Provincial Government posted abroad in the Tax Year.

    Non-Resident

    An Association of Persons, a Company and an Individual are Non-Resident for a Tax Year if they are not Resident for that year.

    Pakistan source Income

    Is defined in section 101 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, which caters for Incomes under different heads and situations. Some of the common Pakistan source Incomes are as under: –

    Salary received or receivable from any employment exercised in Pakistan wherever paid;

    Salary paid by, or on behalf of, the Federal Government, a Provincial Government, or a local Government in Pakistan, wherever the employment is exercised;

    Dividend paid by Resident Company;

    Profit on debt paid by a Resident Person;

    Property or rental Income from the lease of immovable property in Pakistan;

    Pension or annuity paid or payable by a Resident or permanent establishment of a Non-Resident;.

    Foreign source Income

    Is any Income, which is not a Pakistan source Income.

    Person

    An Individual;

    A Company or Association of Persons incorporated, formed, organized or established in Pakistan or elsewhere;

    The Federal Government, a foreign government, a political subdivision of a foreign government, or public international organization

    Company

    A Company as defined in the Companies Ordinance, 1984 (XLVII of 1984);

    A body corporate formed by or under any law in force in Pakistan;

    A modaraba;

    A body incorporated by or under the law of a country outside Pakistan relating to incorporation of Companies;

    An amendment has been made through Finance Act, 2013 to enlarge the scope of definition of a Company. Now as per Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 a company includes:

    A co-operative society, a finance society or any other society;

    A non-profit organization;

    A trust, an entity or a body of persons established or constituted by or under any law for the time being in force.

    A foreign association, whether incorporated or not, which the Board has, by general or special order, declared to be a company for the purposes of this Ordinance;

    A Provincial Government;

    A Local Government in Pakistan;

    A Small Company

    Association of Persons

    Includes a firm (the relation between persons who have agreed to share the profits of a business carried on by all or any of them acting for all), a Hindu undivided family, any artificial juridical person and any body of persons formed under a foreign law, but does not include a Company.

    Tax Year

    Is a period of twelve months ending on 30th day of June i.e. the financial year and is denoted by the calendar year in which the said date falls. For example, tax year for the period of twelve months from July 01, 2017 to June 30, 2018 shall be denoted by calendar year 2018 and the period of twelve months from July 01, 2018 to June 30, 2019 shall be denoted by calendar year 2019. It is called Normal Tax Year.

    Special Tax Year

    Means any period of twelve months and is denoted by the calendar year relevant to the Normal Tax Year in which closing date of the Special Tax Year falls. For example, Tax Year for the period of twelve months from January 01, 2017 to December 31, 2017 shall be denoted by calendar year 2018 and the period of twelve months from October 01, 2017 to September 30, 2018 shall be denoted by calendar year 2019.

    Basic concepts on Income Tax would help answer a lot of fundamental questions, avoiding unnecessary mistakes or errors that normally arise during Registration and Filing of Income Tax Return.

  • Prices of essential items increase by 11.72 percent: PBS

    Prices of essential items increase by 11.72 percent: PBS

    KARACHI: The prices of essential items increased by 11.72 percent by week ended March 07, 2019 when compared with the same week last year, according to data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Friday.

    According to Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) all the income groups had witnessed inflation for the period.

    The PBS computes the weekly SPI with base 2007-2008=100 covering 17 urban centers and 53 essential items for all income groups / quintiles and combined.

    The statistics have shown that price of tomatoes posted 308 percent growth to Rs128.42 per kilogram for the week under review as compared with Rs31.42/kg in the corresponding week of the last year.

    The price of LPG cylinder grew by 19 percent for the period. While prices of High Speed Diesel, Petrol and Kerosene Oil witnessed increase in their prices by 13.13 percent, 5.57 percent and 6.8 percent, respectively.

  • Business community welcomes govt. resolve for eradicating corrupt FBR elements

    Business community welcomes govt. resolve for eradicating corrupt FBR elements

    KARACHI: The business community has welcomed firm resolve of the government for eradicating corrupt elements from Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to boost trust level on tax collecting agency.

    President Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) Junaid Esmail Makda, while hailing Prime Minister’s remarks about reforming the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR), said that the business and industrial community highly appreciates PM’s resolve to reform the FBR and also welcomes his warning to create a new tax collection authority if FBR fails to end harassment and corruption which was a good idea. Unabated corrections must continue at the FBR without any stoppage in order to make it taxpayers friendly.

    “Either in the existing or the new FBR, there is a dire need to create trust while corruption has to be completely eradicated by immediately expelling the corrupt FBR officials which would help in dealing with the trust deficit and encourage people to come forward to pay their taxes without any kind of fear of harassment”, he advised in a statement issued on Friday.

    He pointed out that massive corruption of up to Rs500 billion at FBR was claimed some two to three years ago by the then Ministers who assured to strictly deal with the same but unfortunately not a single step was taken against the element responsible for such a massive corruption.

    “It is heartening to see that the present government has given a clear warning to get rid of FBR if it fails to improve as they are also well-cognizant of the miseries being suffered by loyal taxpayers due to massive wrongdoings and unbridled corruption”, he added.

    He stressed that in order to achieve the desired objectives, the decision makers in Islamabad will have to take practical steps to end the harassment and arm-twisting tactics being used by FBR officials to gain personal benefits only while the honest officials must be promoted and brought forward at the helm of the affairs.

    Junaid Makda was of the opinion that the taxation laws also need to be reviewed in consultation with all the stakeholders as massive discretionary powers have been conferred to FBR officials even at the lower level which are being used as tool for arm-twisting and squeezing the existing taxpayers.

    The existing FBR and even any new FBR in future will not be able to generate the desired revenue and provide relief to loyal taxpayers until the government revisits all taxation laws and subsides the draconian discretionary powers.

    He also underscored the need to simplify the cumbersome taxation procedures so that maximum number of individuals could be encouraged to pay their taxes while the tax collection authority must be directed to strictly take action against tax evaders instead of overburdening and further squeezing the existing taxpayers.

    Appreciating Prime Minister’s positive response on Asset Declaration Scheme and the business community’s apprehensions over last Amnesty Scheme, he said that it was assured that all details of the individuals availing Amnesty Scheme 2018 will be kept confidential but it was not done and more and above, they were asked to submit a very complex and detailed wealth form which was later used by FBR and FIA to harass the beneficiaries of amnesty scheme so it must not be repeated in the new Asset Declaration Scheme which must ensure that the secrecy of beneficiaries’ data has to be maintained while the wealth form must also be simplified with limited details to encourage maximum number of individuals to declare their assets.

    As 97 percent of last year’s amnesty scheme was availed by Karachi-based individuals, the government will have to devise effective strategies so that individuals from every nook and corner of the country could avail this year’s Asset Declaration Scheme which would help in documenting the economy, encourage growth and bring thousands of individuals into the tax net, he added.

    While extending full support and cooperation to the government in improving the tax collection system, President KCCI hoped that the government would continue to keep reforms at the FBR on top of its agenda until a taxpayers friendly and trustworthy environment is created which is badly needed in order to make Pakistan self-reliant with zero dependence on foreign aids and loans.