ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) announced a significant step towards curbing counterfeit products and enhancing tax collection through tax stamps.
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Get the latest FBR news, tax updates, income tax, sales tax, customs, notifications, and policies from the Federal Board of Revenue.
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Hamid Ali posted as Member Customs Policy
ISLAMABAD: Syed Hamid Ali, a BS-21 officer of Pakistan Customs Service (PCS) has been transferred and posted as Member (Customs-Policy), Federal Board of Revenue (Headquarter), Islamabad, a notification said on Monday.
Hamid Ali was previously posted as Member (Legal & Accounting – Customs), FBR (Hq), Islamabad.
The post of Member Customs was remained vacant after Muhammad Javed Ghani assumed the charge as Chairman of the FBR.
Ms. Zeba Hai Azhar, a BS-21 officer of PCS, has been transferred and posted as Member (Legal & Accounting – Customs), FBR (Hq), Islamabad from the post of Director General, Directorate General of Training and Research (Customs), Karachi.
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NSS: tax rate at 10% on profit subject to furnishing certificate
ISLAMABAD: Persons deriving profit less than Rs500,000 on national saving schemes are required to provide a certificate in order to get reduced income tax rate at 10 percent, official sources said.
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FBR issues 1.4 million notices for not filing returns, concealing income
ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued around 1.4 million notices to non-filers of income tax returns and those who concealed income in their declaration, a statement said on Saturday.
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FY21 tax target requires Rs2,393 billion or 53.4 percent growth in next five months
ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) needs to collect an amount of Rs2,393 billion during next five months of fiscal year 2020/2021 (FY21) to achieve the annual target of Rs4,963 billion.
According to provisional revenue figures released on Saturday, the FBR collected Rs2,570 billion during July – January 2020/2021 as compared with Rs2,416 billion in the corresponding period of the last fiscal year, showing an increase of 6.4 percent.
In order to achieve the revenue collection target the FBR required to maintain 53.4 percent growth in revenue collection during remaining months of the current fiscal year. The FBR collected Rs1,560 billion during February – June of the last fiscal year. However, the revenue body needs Rs2,393 billion in the remaining five months of the current fiscal year.
It is worth mentioning that the revenue collection was adversely affected during March – June 2020/2021 due to spread of coronavirus in the same period. This has cost around Rs500 billion to the revenue collection.
The net collection for the month of January was Rs.364 billion against a target of Rs340 billion, representing an increase of 12.3 percent over last January and 107 percent of the target. This is the first double-digit monthly growth during the fiscal year.
On the other hand, the gross collections increased from Rs.2464 billion to Rs.2699 billion, showing an increase of nearly 10 percent.
The amount of refunds was Rs129 billion compared to Rs69 billion paid last year, showing an increase of 87 percent. This is reflective of FBR’s resolve to fast-track refunds to prevent liquidity issues of the industry.
The improved revenue performance is a reflection of growing economic activities in the country despite facing the challenge of second wave of COVID-19. Going forward, it is expected that this revenue performance would be further strengthened as economic recovery gains more momentum.
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FBR initiates action against non-filer corporate taxpayers
ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Saturday directed tax offices to ensure recovery of penalty amount from corporate taxpayers, who failed to file income tax returns by due date.
The last date for filing income tax returns for tax year 2020 was December 31, 2020. However, the FBR said that a large number of companies had failed to comply with the mandatory requirement.
The revenue body said that the data obtained from PRAL in respect of non-filer companies, which are filers for tax year 2019, goes to reveal that not only that they have not filed tax returns but also that a considerable amount of revenue has not been paid by these taxpayers.
It may be noticed that notices u/s 182 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 were issued to all non-filers currently by the FBR Head Office.
All Chief Commissioners of Inland Revenue (CCIRs) have been directed to monitor progress of penalty progress proceedings particularly in company cases and make sure enforcement of returns and also to realize due revenue. Formation-wise lists of such cases have been sent through email to all concerned.
The FBR directed all the CCIRs to share the progress on enforcement measures in recovery of penal amount and payment of outstanding dues by February 15, 2021.
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Tax offices directed to issue penalty notices to sugar mills for not complying VAS
ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has directed tax offices to issue penalty notices to sugar mills, which have failed to install video analytics system, sources said on Saturday.
The FBR directed Chief Commissioners of LTO, MTO, CTO of Karachi, Lahore and RTO Peshawar to issue penalty notices to non-compliant sugar mills which have not followed FBR guidelines.
The FBR also decided to launch stern action from next week against sugar mills and suppliers of video analytics system (VAS), who failed to comply with the mandatory requirement under the law.
“The FBR will take action by imposing heavy penalties on non-compliant sugar mills and non-compliant vendors if they fail to install the video analytic equipment at their factory premises by January 31, 2021,” according to a notice sent to vendors of VAS.
The notice has been sent to all the pre-qualified vendors, included: M/s. AJCL (Pvt) Ltd., M/s. TPL Trekker, M/s. CNS Engineering & Technology, M/s. NRTC and GCS, M/s. COMMTEL, M/s. DWP Technologies and M/s. Focus Technology Pvt Ltd.
The FBR said that it had authorized seven vendors through its report on November 20, 2020 for VAS and the copy was shared with Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) and all pre-qualified vendors to initiate the process.
In order to ensure the implementation of VAS, the FBR issued a letter on December 02, 2020 directing the PSMA to provide mill wise update status of deployment of VAS by December 31, 2020, which was further extended up to January 31, 2021.
“In response to the letters only few sugar mills have issued final quotations to the vendors for installation of the system. However, large number of sugar mills is not willing to implement the system as they have either issued provisional quotations or not issued any quotation at all the process of VAS.”
The FBR observed that the pre-qualified vendors had failed to install the video analytics equipment on the sugar mills, which had issued final quotations to the pre-qualified vendors for the system.
It is pertinent to mention that the Video Analytics Rules, 2020 were issued through SRO 889(I)/2020 dated September 21, 2020. These clearly laid down responsibilities of the manufacturer to provide unhindered availability of production facilities for installation of the system.
Besides, Rule 150ZQT(2) of the rules provides severe penalty of non-removal goods from business premises by non-compliant manufacturing units.
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Salary persons require retaining tax deduction certificate for six years
ISLAMABAD: A person deriving income salary is required to retain salary certificate indicating amount of salary and tax deducted for six years, sources said on Friday.
The sources said that the requirement of retaining record for six years is mandatory under income tax laws.
Similarly taxpayers deriving income from property are required to retain following records for six years:
a. Tenancy agreement, if executed;
b. Tenancy termination agreement, if executed;
c. Receipt for amount of rent received; and
d. Evidence of deductions claimed in respect of premium paid to insure the building, local rate, tax, charge or cess, ground rent, profit/interest or share in rent on money borrowed, expenditure on collecting the rent, legal services and unpaid rent.
In case taxpayers deriving income from capital gains, the following documents shall be retained for six years:
a. Evidence of cost of acquiring the capital assets;
b. Evidence of deduction for any other costs claimed; and
c. Evidence in respect of consideration received on disposal of the capital asset.
In case taxpayers deriving income from other sources are required to keep following records for six years:
a. Dividend; dividend warrants.
b. Royalty; Royalty agreement
c. Profit on debt: Evidence and detail of profit yielding debt; Evidence of profit on debt and tax deducted thereon, like certificate in the prescribed form or bank account statement; and evidence of Zakat deducted, if any.
d. Ground rent, rent from the sub-lease or land or building, income from the lease of any building together with plant or machinery and consideration for vacating the possession of a building or part thereof: Lease agreement; and lease termination agreement.
e. Annuity or pension: evidence of amount received.
f. Prize money on bond, winning from a raffle, lottery or cross word puzzle: Evidence of income and tax deducted thereon, like certificate in the prescribed form.
g. Provision use or exploitation of property: agreement
h. Loan, advance, deposit or gift: evidence of model of receipt of a loan, advance, deposit or gift i.e. by a crossed cheque or through a banking channel.
i. General: Evidence of deduction for any other expenditure claimed.
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FBR’s representation in bogus refunds rejected
ISLAMABAD: A representation of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has been rejected by the President of Pakistan on Friday that was filed against an order passed by the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) in bogus refund case.
According to details, President Dr. Arif Alvi rejected the FBR’s representations directing the tax authorities to recover amount of Rs14 million paid in bogus refund claim.
The President upheld the decision of Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) following its suo-moto action against the irregularities committed by the FBR field formations in registering, processing, sanctioning and issuing sales tax refunds to fake refund payments during the period 2012-2013.
President Alvi in his decision wrote: “it was surprising and shocking that FBR failed to investigate fake claims where refund had already been made in full connivance with FBR officials”.
Expressing strong displeasure over the scam, he said: “How can we afford not to recover and criminally charge the fraudsters.”
The President stressed recovery of the embezzled money, saying: “instead of resistance by FBR to the suo-moto action by FTO, they should recover the precious money of the people of Pakistan.”
It is worth-stating that FBR has filed 74 similar representations with the office of the President against the orders of FTO. Out of 74 representations, 22 cases have been decided while 52 are still awaiting adjudication.
Furthermore, according to the relevant record, FBR had allowed Rs 875.277 million to be paid to fake RPs, of which a payment of Rs 223.312 Million has already been made.
The FTO in its verdict, dated April 27, 2020, had directed the Chief Commissioner-Inland Revenue and Corporate Regional Tax Office (RTO), Karachi to investigate and identify the officials involved in registration of fake RPs and initiate disciplinary/criminal action against those found involved and report compliance within 45 days.
The FTO in its decision further directed FBR to initiate appropriate action including criminal proceedings leading to recovery of amount swindled from public exchequer through claiming inadmissible input tax and bogus refund.
Instead of implementing the directives of FTO, the FBR challenged its jurisdiction and filed a representation with the President taking plea that it could not issue such orders and rely on interdepartmental correspondence of FBR.
The President rejected FBR’s representation and made it clear that the body could exercise its power conferred under Section 9(1) of the Federal Tax Ombudsman Ordinance, 2000 to investigate irregularities in the department.
It is to be mentioned here that the investigations conducted by Directorate General of I&I-IR (Intelligence & Investigation and Inland Revenue), Karachi in case of M/s Z.A. Exports — a fake RP with principal activity as manufacturer of iron and steel — revealed that bogus claims worth Rs 18.519 million were made in tax period 2012-13 against irrelevant invoices.
The President lauded the Directorate General of I&I-IR (Intelligence & Investigation and Inland Revenue) for issuing Red Alerts and detecting fraudulent activities in FBR, and regretted that the “national exchequer was made to suffer colossal loss of revenue”.
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Rules notified for consignment clearance at border customs stations
ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Friday issued draft rules for the clearance of import and export consignments at border customs stations.
The FBR issued SRO 103(I)/2021 dated January 25, 2021 to propose a new sub-chapter XVI to Customs Rules, 2001 for clearance of imports and exports at border customs station.
According to draft rules following are the procedures for clearance of goods at border customs stations:
A. Imports
556H. Data entry of import manifest at the time of terminal gate-entry.-
(1) The person-in-charge of the vehicle carrying imported goods on arrival into Pakistan shall deliver the import manifest in the form as prescribed in these rules to gate-in-officer. On receipt of import manifest, the gate-in-officer shall enter the data of import manifest against the relevant IGM.
(2) Copies of the import manifest shall be given to the representative of FC and the terminal operator at the zero-line, wherein a terminal operator is functioning.
556I. Processing of gate-in.- After recording of import manifest information, the gate-in-officer shall process gate-in of the vehicle and goods in the system on real time basis.
556J. Filing of import goods declaration.- Subsequently the importer or his authorized representative shall file goods declaration against the Index number already generated in the system for prescribed customs processing.
556K. Release of import cargo.- After completion of customs processing of goods declaration including payment of leviable duty and taxes and on receiving authorization from the Pakistan Customs computerized System (PCCS), the terminal officer shall electronically assign vehicle and cargo to the Gate-out-officer for electronic gate-out in the system.
556L. Processing of gate-out.- After receiving the authorization in the PCCS, the gate-out office shall record gate-out event in the system.
B. Exports
556M. Filing of export goods declaration.- The exporter or his authorized representative shall file export goods declaration against the vehicle and goods meant for exports, before the vehicle enters the border custom station.
556N. Processing of Gate-in.- After the filing of export goods declaration by exporter or his authorized representative, the information shall be verified by the gate-in officer. The gate-in officer shall record gate-in event in the system.
556O. Processing of GD and out-of-charge.- After completion of processing, the GD will be out-of-charged and a message will be sent to the terminal operator. After receiving message from the PCCS, the terminal officer shall assign the vehicle and cargo to the cross border officer for electronic cross-border in the system.
556P. Processing of cross border and export confirmation.- The cross border officer shall record the confirmation of export in the system, after physically verifying export cargo at the terminal/station exit gate, and shall generate system based three copies of “Cross-border authorization” to be collected at the zero-line by the officials of Customs, FC and terminal operator respectively, to ensure cross border of the vehicle and cargo.
556Q. Amendment in manifest.- After filing of IGM or EGM, no amendment shall be allowed. In case of any human error, the rectification shall be allowed with the approval of an officer not below the rank of Additional Collector of the concerned MCC (Appraisement & Facilitation).
556R. Import and export of cargo.- The procedure provided in the sub-chapter for import, export and other customs processes shall mutatis mutandis apply herein:
Provided that in case any land customs station does not possess complete infrastructure, facilities or any required components for implementing all provisions relating to Customs Computerized System, the Collector may order such modification in any provision as may be deemed necessary under intimation to the Board, till such time all required facilities and components become available.
556S. Reconciliation of all incoming and outgoing vehicles.-
(1) Everyday in the morning, Customs, FC and terminal operator shall reconcile all the import manifests of the all incoming vehicles of the previous day with a system generated list that GDs have been filed for all incoming vehicles. In case, GD is not filed within forty eight hours of the arrival of the vehicle, the reasons may be ascertained by the Customs for late filing of GD including verification of location of the vehicle inside the custom station or terminal.
(2) At the end of the day, all cross-border authorizations collected by customs authorities as well by FC & terminal operator shall be re- reconciled to ensure that all the requisite transport units which were issued gate-passes have crossed the border.
(3) The daily imports and exports statements reconciled jointly shall be countersigned by the concerned Assistant/Deputy Collector of the Enforcement. While, the Directorate of Transit Trade shall conduct the reconciliation of transit cargo and empty containers as per mechanism given under the rules.
(4) In case of any discrepancy, the incharge of Custom station will initiate action under the relevant provision of the Customs Act, 1969.
(5) A weekly summary of reconciliation shall be forwarded to the respective Collector/Director to apprise them updated.
(6) All concerned authorities i.e., Customs, FC and terminal operator shall keep the original record of import manifests and cross-border authorizations for a period of five years and to made available if required by Custom authorities.