Tag: income tax

  • Additional Tax on Windfall Income Becomes Act of Parliament

    Additional Tax on Windfall Income Becomes Act of Parliament

    Islamabad, June 27, 2023 – The national assembly has passed the budget proposals, making the additional tax on windfall income a law, according to experts.

    (more…)
  • Pakistan Imposes 10% Income Tax on Bonus Shares Issued by Companies

    Pakistan Imposes 10% Income Tax on Bonus Shares Issued by Companies

    The government of Pakistan has introduced a new measure through the Finance Bill, 2023, which imposes a 10 percent income tax on the issuance of bonus shares by companies to their shareholders. This tax is implemented under a new section, 236Z, of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.

    (more…)
  • Lahore High Court declares tax on deemed income as illegal

    Lahore High Court declares tax on deemed income as illegal

    Lahore High Court has declared the imposition of income tax on ‘deemed rental income’ of properties as illegal.

    (more…)
  • Tax on deemed income arising from capital assets in Pakistan

    Tax on deemed income arising from capital assets in Pakistan

    KARACHI: A resident person, who owns capital assets in Pakistan, will be taxed on deemed income arising from capital assets for tax year 2022.

    An important amendment has been made part of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 through Finance Act, 2022.

    Experts at PwC A. F. Ferguson & Co. explained this provision of the ordinance made part through Finance Act, 2022, as a resident person owning capital assets in Pakistan will be taxed on deemed income arising from capital assets for tax year 2022 and onwards.

    READ MORE: Pakistan imposes tax at 10% on money transfers to non-residents

    For this purpose, such deemed income shall be computed as 5 per cent of the Fair Market Value (as determined by the FBR under section 68 of Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 of capital assets.

    The rate of tax on such income is prescribed as 20 per cent.

    This translates into an effective tax at 1 per cent of Fair Market Value of capital assets.

    READ MORE: Significant changes to sales tax laws through Finance Act 2022

    The experts said that an exclusionary definition of ‘capital asset’ has been provided, which effectively means that such tax is leviable only in respect of ‘immovable property’ situated in Pakistan owned by resident persons.

    For the purposes of such tax; however, while following immovable properties shall stand excluded, the Federal Government has been empowered to notify any exclusion or inclusion of any person and/ or property from the scope of such tax:

    (a) one immovable property owned by the resident person;

    (b) self-owned business premises from where the business is carried out by the persons appearing on the active taxpayers’ list at any time during the year;

    (c) self-owned agriculture land where agriculture activity is carried out by person excluding farmhouse (defined in a specified manner) and land annexed thereto;

    (d) immovable property allotted to:

    READ MORE: Key changes to income tax laws through Finance Act 2022

    (i) a shaheed or dependents of a shaheed belonging to Pakistan Armed Forces;

    (ii) a person or dependents of the person who dies while in the service of Pakistan armed forces or Federal or provincial government;

    (iii) a war wounded person while in service of Pakistan armed forces or Federal or provincial government; or

    (iv) an ex-serviceman and serving personnel of armed forces or ex-employees or serving personnel of Federal and provincial governments, being original allottees of the capital asset duly certified by the allotment authority;

    (e) any property from which income is chargeable to tax under the Ordinance and tax leviable is paid thereon;

    (f) immovable property in the first tax year of acquisition where tax under section 236K of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 has been paid;

    (g) where the fair market value of the capital assets in aggregate excluding the capital assets mentioned in clauses (a) through (f) above does not exceed Rs 25 million;

    READ MORE: Non-ATL retailers to pay double amount of fixed tax

    (h) immovable property owned by a provincial government or a local government; or

    (i) immovable property owned by a local authority, a development authority, builders and developers for land development and construction, subject to the condition that such persons are registered with Directorate General of Designated Non-Financial Business and Professions.

    The constitutional validity of this tax in relation to entry 50 of the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution of Pakistan and the scope of any amount which can be deemed as income will have to be tested, they added.

  • FPCCI demands reducing income tax slabs to five

    FPCCI demands reducing income tax slabs to five

    KARACHI: Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on Monday urged the government to reduce income tax slab to 5 – 7 from 11 slabs.

    FPCCI President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh proposed the simplification of personal income tax slabs down to 5 – 7 from the current 11 slabs. Interestingly, IMF has also recommended the same and can add up to Rs200 billion to the tax collection in a couple of years.

    READ MORE: Tax slabs reduction may be considered: FBR chairman

    FPCCI president said that the economic and business environment has reached a point where the business community finds the demand of imposing an economic emergency justifiable to put an end to the economic uncertainty. He added that businesses cannot operate profitably under such harsh and unfavorable conditions.

    Irfan Iqbal Sheikh emphasized that the policy rate must be aggressively brought down to 7 percent from its current level of 12.25 percent to make access to finance affordable for the private sector to keep the economic activities afloat.

    READ MORE: High interest rate to destroy economy: FPCCI

    He also noted that the step will bring down the short-term debt servicing of the government by Rs300 billion; and, provide breathing space to the government for the better fiscal management.

    Irfan Iqbal Sheikh noted with concern that the budgetary deficit is also increasing due to the incessantly loss-making State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and now it is absolutely imperative to reform and restructure them decisively; as their share in budgetary deficit has reached to 23 percent.

    READ MORE: Political unrest dents foreign investors’ confidence: Nisar

    He also called for an increase in FED on cigarettes and carbonated drinks to serve the dual purpose of generating revenues and protecting the general public in general and the workforce in particular from health hazards that have been unleashed on them by smoking and diabetes-causing sweetened drinks. He added that if FED is raised on cigarettes to 70 percent, Pakistan can generate up to Rs. 240 billion additional revenues.

    FPCCI President expressed his willingness to engage with the government in a consultative process to take on the economic challenges collectively in the broader national interest. However, he reiterated his stance that policies should not be announced in a vacuum without consulting the business, industry and trade community – as they are the real stakeholders.

    READ MORE: FPCCI proposes charter of economy to new government

    Additionally, he called for a pro-business federal budget 2022 – 23; enabling the private sector to invest in the economy, set up new industry, increase exports on an expedited rate, generate employment and contribute towards revenue collection in a healthy manner.

  • Budget salient features related to Income Tax

    Budget salient features related to Income Tax

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) issued budget salient feature related to income tax presented through Finance Bill, 2020.

    INCOME TAX

    RELIEF MEASURES

    • Deletion of Withholding Taxes

    To augment efforts towards simplification of the withholding tax regime, the following withholding tax provisions are being deleted:

    Section 236R: Collection of advance tax on education related expenses remitted abroad

    Section 235B: Tax on steel melters and composite units

    Section 156B: Withdrawal of balance under pension fund

    Section 148A: Tax on local purchase of cooking oil or vegetable ghee by certain persons

    Section 236D: Advance tax on functions and gatherings

    Section 236F: Advance tax on cable operators and other electronic media

    Section 236J: Advance tax on dealers, commission agents and arhatis etc.

    Section 236U: Advance tax on insurance premium

    Section 236X: Advance tax on tobacco

    This measure would reduce the cost of the compliance of taxpayers, enhance the control of FBR over the withholding tax regime and would be pivotal in promoting ease of doing business.

    • Enhancement of Threshold for Becoming Prescribed Person for Withholding of Tax on Supplies, Services and Contracts from fifty to hundred million rupees and a similar threshold of hundred million rupees is being prescribed for a sales tax registered person to become a withholding agent.

    • Reduction in Holding Period and Tax Rates for Capital Gain on Immoveable Property to incentivize and propel economic activity in the real estate sector, the bifurcation of plots and constructed property for determining holding period of capital gains is being done away with i.e. the holding period for taxation of capital gains on disposal of immovable property is being restricted to 4 years. In addition, rates are also being reduced on capital gains emanating from disposal of immoveable property.

    • Increase in Threshold of Section 21(l) per transaction delineated under section 21(l) is being increased from Rs. 10,000/- to Rs. 25,000/-. Similarly, the threshold of payments under a single from Rs.50,000/- to Rs.250,000/-.

    • Increase in Threshold of Section 21(m) from Rs. 15,000/- per month to Rs.25,000/- per month.

    • Enabling Adjustability of Property Expenses for All Individuals/AOPs

    • Exempting Withholding Tax on Cash Withdrawal to the extent of Foreign Remittances

    • Promoting Investment in Government Debt Instruments through a foreign bank account, a non-resident rupee account repatriable or a foreign currency account.

    • Issuance of Centralized Income Tax Refunds

    • Hajj Operators to be Exempted from Withholding Tax on Payments to Non-Residents

    • Explanation for excluding Vehicles Up to 200cc from the Ambit of Advance Tax

    • Advance Tax on Auction of Immovable Property to be Collected in Installments

    • Prompt Issuance of Exemption Certificates to Public Listed Companies within 15 days

    • Collection of Advance Tax by Educational Institutions not to Apply to Persons on the ATL

    • Rationalizing Tax on Imports by shifting from person-specific rates to goods specific rates cascaded according to the type of goods, with tax @1% for capital goods, 2% for raw materials and 5.5% for finished goods irrespective of status of the importer. However, the prevailing concessional rates on certain items such as remeltable scrap of iron and steel, potassic and urea fertilizers, LNG, Gold, Cotton, goods that were importable by manufacturers under the rescinded SRO 1125(I)/2011 dated 31.12.2011, mobile phones etc. are being maintained.

    • Agreed Assessment through arbitration by Assessment Oversight Committee

    • Strengthening Alternate Dispute Resolution Mechanism

    • Taxation Of Resident Shipping Companies as per latest marine policy

    PROCEDURAL MEASURES

    • Taxpayer’s Profile Automated Adjusted Assessment to rectify computational errors and wrongly claimed credits

    • Real-Time Access to Databases of Certain Organizations

    • Audit on the Basis of Benchmark Ratios

    • Enabling E-Audit

    • Strengthening Compliance Regime of Non-Profit / Welfare Organizations

    • Electricity Expense to be Treated as an Inadmissible Business Deduction subject to non-disclosure of name of actual user from 01.01.2021

    • Disallowance of Business Expenditure Proportionate to Sales Made to Sales Tax Unregistered Persons

    • Rationalizing Depreciation Deduction based on the Half Year Rule

    • Limiting Interest Deductibility to Foreign Affiliates

    TECHNICAL MEASURES

    • Rationalization of Cost of Transport Vehicle for Claiming Deduction on Account of Lease Rentals

    • Filing of Withholding Statements under section 165 on Quarterly Basis

    • Incentivizing and Promoting the Construction Industry

    • Tax Exemptions and Concessions for the Gwadar Port and the Gwadar Free Zone

    • Incorporation of Relief measures provided through SROs during the COVID pandemic.

  • Draft law for collecting income tax from small shopkeepers

    Draft law for collecting income tax from small shopkeepers

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has drafted special procedure for collection of income tax from small shopkeepers.

    FBR sources said that an agreed mechanism between the FBR and small traders would be implemented from next week.

    They said that it would be another big achievement of the tax agency after convincing the banks for sharing information of account holders.

    The share of retailers in income tax collection is very low when compared with their contribution towards the national GDP.

    The sources said that on October 30, 2019 the agreement was finalized between the FBR and small traders for the collection of income tax and also to remove procedural glitches.

    According to draft law the small shopkeeper means an individual where the business is carried out at a premises having covered area less than 300 square feet.

    The small business owners will not include in the definition of small shopkeeper if he is engaged in the activity of a jeweler, wholesale, warehouse, real estate agent, builder and developer, doctor, lawyer, chartered accountant or any other category specified by the Board, a retailer operating as a unit of a national or international chain of stores, a retailer operating in an air-conditioned shopping mall, plaza or center, a retailer who has a credit or debit card machine, any person whose cumulative electricity bill exceeds Rs300,000 in the immediately preceding twelve months; and any person covered under section 99C of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.

    As per the draft law the small shopkeepers will be liable to pay income tax biannually.

    The FBR will not conduct examination and audit of small shopkeepers. Further, shopkeepers will also not liable to collect withholding tax.

    The sources said that the rate of tax likely be notified next week. They said whatever tax rate is agreed the tax payment will be increased by Rs5,000 annually.

    The FBR will also notify simple income tax return form for small shopkeepers, which will be filed for tax year 2019 onwards.

  • Income tax collection from doctors surges by 135pc; services sector contribution falls by 8.2pc

    Income tax collection from doctors surges by 135pc; services sector contribution falls by 8.2pc

    ISLAMABAD: The income tax collection from doctors has witnessed unprecedented growth of 135 percent in fiscal year 2018/2019, according to official statistics of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

    The FBR revealed that the tax collection from doctors increased to Rs2.83 billion in fiscal year 2018/2019 as compared with Rs1.21 billion in the preceding fiscal year.

    Sources in the FBR said that the monitoring of professionals resulted in revenue collection growth.

    Similarly, the income tax collection from engineers registered 80 percent growth to Rs5.24 billion in fiscal year 2018/2019 as compared with Rs2.91 billion in the preceding fiscal year.

    The collection of income tax from another segment of services sector i.e. accountants witnessed 10.3 percent growth. The collection of income tax from accountants was Rs3.05 billion in fiscal year 2018/2019 as compared with Rs2.76 billion in the preceding fiscal year.

    The overall collection of income tax from services sector fell by 8.2 percent to Rs350 billion in the last fiscal year as compared with Rs381.7 billion in the fiscal year 2017/2018.

    The major chunk of revenue came from banking and financial institutions under the head of services sector. The banks and financial institutions paid Rs152.21 billion in fiscal year 2018/2019 as compared with Rs177.41 billion, registering 14.2 percent decline.

    Other major revenue spinner under this head was insurance sector but it also witnessed negative growth of 13.3 percent. The insurance sector paid Rs11.24 billion during fiscal year 2018/2019 as compared with Rs12.96 billion in preceding fiscal year.

    However, the income tax collection from hotels and restaurants registered 33 percent growth in revenue collection to Rs8.16 billion in 2018/2019 as compared with Rs6.15 billion in the preceding fiscal year.

    The income tax collection from travel agencies posted 15.5 percent increase. The collection from travel agencies increased to Rs2.12 billion in fiscal year 2018/2019 as compared with Rs1.83 billion in the preceding fiscal year.

  • Budget 2019/2020: Salient features of income tax

    Budget 2019/2020: Salient features of income tax

    ISLAMABAD: The federal government has announced various revenue and relief measures in income tax regime in the budget 2019/2020.

    Following measures has been announced:

    Relief Measures

    Payment of refunds through promissory notes:

    Huge amounts claimed by taxpayers are stuck up in refunds causing a liquidity crunch for businesses. These refunds have accumulated over a long time.

    However, issuance of a substantial amount of refund would drastically reduce the net collection of taxes. In view of this a provision has been introduced wherein promissory notes would be issued to claimants at their option by a newly formed company called the FBR Refund Settlement Company Limited. The bonds are to have a maturity period of three years after which the company shall return the promissory note to the Board and the Board shall make payment of amount due under bonds along with profit due to the bond holders.

    Rationalization of punitive measures for late filers:

    Presently law prohibits placing a person’s name on the active taxpayers’ list for the year if the return is not filed within the due date. Hence, a person who files a return of income after the due date would be subjected to higher tax rates meant for persons not appearing on ATL, for the ensuing year, creating a disincentive towards return filing.

    The condition of not placing name on ATL for the whole year is being abolished. Instead, such a person would be penalized by withholding any refund due to a late-filer in the tax year in which the return was filed late without incurring any liability of compensation for delayed refund.

    Further, a nominal tax for placement on ATL after the due date of filing of return has been imposed as under:-

    1. Company Rs. 20,000

    2. Association of persons Rs. 10,000

    3. Non-salaried individuals Rs. 3,000

    4. Salaried individuals Rs. 1,000

    Tax credit for persons employing fresh graduates:

    In order to create opportunities of employment for fresh graduates a new tax credit for persons employing freshly qualified graduates is being introduced.

    Persons employing fresh qualified graduates, having graduated after 1st July 2017, from universities or institutions recognized by the Higher Education Commission would be given a tax credit equal to the amount of annual salary paid to such graduates.

    The tax credit shall be deducted from the tax payable by such persons and would be in addition to the expenditure claimed by businesses on payment of salary to their employees. In case the tax credit cannot be fully allowed for a tax year, persons claiming such credit would be allowed to carry forward un-adjusted credit to a maximum period of five years.

    However, the credit will be allowed against salary of those fresh graduates which are not more than 15 percent of the total employees

    Exemption for allowances of Armed Forces Personnel:

    Various allowances being given to Armed Forces Personnel i.e. internal security allowance and compensation in lieu of bearer allowance are being exempted from tax

    Revenue Measures

    Gift to be treated as income:

    At present gift is not taxed in the hands of the recipient. Receipt of gift is employed to reconcile wealth acquired through undisclosed sources of income.

    Therefore receipt of gift has been brought within the ambit of income under the head “income from other sources”. Consequently any amount in cash or fair market value of any property including immovable property would be treated as gift. However, certain exclusions are also proposed to facilitate genuine gift transactions which are not meant to evade income tax.

    Enhancing the rate of minimum turnover tax:

    Presently minimum tax on turnover is charged at the rate of 1.25 percent of the turnover if taxable income is less than 1.25 percent of turnover. Certain sectors have reduced rate of minimum tax at 0.2 percent, 0.25 percent & 0.5 percent of turnover.

    The aforesaid rates of minimum tax are being enhanced from 1.25 percent to 1.5 percent, from 0.20 percent to 0.25 percent, from 0.25 percent to 0.3 percent and from 0.5 percent to 0.75 percent respectively.

    Abolishing tax credit for investment in BMR:

    Presently a corporate industrial undertakings investing in purchase of plant & machinery for extension, expansion, balancing, modernizing & replacement are allowed tax credit equal to ten percent of the purchase price of machinery.

    This facility of tax credit was introduced through the Finance Act, 2010 with a sunset clause ending on 30th June 2015 which has been amended multiple times, resulting in extension of the facility up to tax year 2021.

    The said tax credit is being allowed to those companies which purchase and install plant & machinery up to 30th June, 2019. Further, for the tax year 2019, the tax credit is being reduced from 10 percent to 5 percent of the purchase value of machinery.

    However industrial undertakings which have already claimed this tax credit but could not fully adjust the credit against tax payable would still be entitled to carry forward the unabsorbed available credit of prior years.

    Special provisions for persons not appearing on Active Taxpayer’s List:

    Presently the law provides for the concept of a non-filer and stipulates higher withholding rates for the same which are adjustable at the time of filing of income tax return.

    This tax regime has created a misconception that a non-filer can go scot free by choosing not to file income tax return. The measure was meant to increase the number of filers, however over time the focus shifted to raising additional revenue only.

    The measure has not achieved the desired results as the present regime does not provide for any legal framework to ensure filing of return by such non filers.

    In order to remove the aforesaid misconception, the concept and the term of “non-filer” is being abolished from the statute, wherever occurring. In its stead a separate Schedule is being introduced to specifically provide a legal framework for punitive measures for persons not appearing on ATL and to ensure filing of return by such persons.

    The main attributes of this scheme are as under:-

    — Persons whose names are not appearing on the ATL will be subjected to hundred percent increased rate of tax.

    — The withholding agents will clearly specify the names, CNIC or any other identification of such persons in the withholding statement so that legal provisions to enforce return can come into effect.

    — Where a withholding agent is of the opinion that hundred percent increased tax is not required to be collected on the basis that the person was not required to file return, the withholding agent shall furnish an intimation to the Commissioner setting out the basis on which the person is not required to file return. The Commissioner shall accept or reject the contention on the basis of existing law. In case the Commissioner fails to respond within thirty days, permission shall be deemed to be granted to not deduct tax at hundred percent increased rate

    — Where the person’s tax has been deducted or collected at hundred percent increased rate and the person fails to file return of income for the year for which tax was deducted, the Commissioner shall make a provisional assessment within sixty days of the due date for filing of return by imputing income so that tax on imputed income is equal to the hundred percent increased tax deducted or collected from such person and the imputed income shall be treated as concealed income.

    — The provisional assessment shall be of no effect if the person files return within forty five days of completion of provisional assessment and the provisions of the Ordinance shall apply accordingly. Where return is not filed within forty five days of provisional assessment, it shall be treated as final assessment and the Commissioner shall initiate penalty proceedings for concealment of income.

    — Additional slabs of income from property:

    At present there are five taxable slabs of income from property with the highest slab’s rate being Rs. 200,000/- plus 20 percent of income exceeding Rs. 2000,000.

    Now the said slab is being limited from Rs 2000,000/- to 4,000,000/- and thereafter three additional brackets of income between four to six million, six to eight million and exceeding eight million are being added

    Increase in tax rates for services:

    At present, the general rate of tax on services is eight percent but certain services have a reduced rate of 2 percent of turnover as given in clause (94) of Part IV of Second Schedule. The aforesaid clause (94) is being omitted and the tax rate for services therein having reduced rate of 2 percent of turnover, is being increased to 4 percent of the gross amount of turnover. Further the present rate of 2 percent for transport services is also being increased to 4 percent.

    Withholding tax on royalty to a resident person:

    At present withholding tax is deducted on any payment of royalty to a nonresident person. However, there is no such withholding tax in case of payment of royalty to a resident person. Therefore a withholding tax at the rate of 15 percent of the gross amount of royalty to be deducted from resident persons is being introduced.

    Revising the threshold of taxable income:

    Prior to Finance Act 2018, the threshold of taxable income for both salaried and non-salaried persons was Rs.400,000. Through the Finance Act, 2018, the threshold was increased to Rs.1,200,000. The threshold of taxable income is generally a proportion of the per capita income of a country.

    Such significant increase is unprecedented and distortionary, resulting in revenue loss also. Therefore it has been proposed that the threshold of taxable income may be revised and fixed at Rs.600,000 for salaried persons and Rs.400,000 for nonsalaried persons.

    Increase in tax rates for Salaried and Non Salaried persons:

    Presently the tax rates for salaried persons are applicable to persons having 50 percent or more of their total income from salary.

    Now these tax rates for salaried persons are to be applicable to persons having 75 percent or more of their total income from salary. Consequently for persons having salary income less than 75 percent of total income, the rates applicable to non-salaried individuals would apply.

    In the case of salaried individuals deriving income exceeding Rs.600,000, eleven taxable slabs with progressive tax rates ranging from 5 percent to 35 percent are being introduced as under:-

    1. Where taxable income does not exceed Rs. 600,000: zero percent tax

    2. Where taxable income exceeds Rs. 600,000 but does not exceed Rs. 1,200,000: 5 percent of the amount exceeding Rs. 600,000

    3. Where taxable income exceeds Rs. 1,200,000 but does not exceed Rs. 1,800,000:

    Rs. 30,000 plus 10 percent of the amount exceeding Rs. 1,200,000

    4. Where taxable income exceeds Rs. 1,800,000 but does not exceed Rs. 2,500,000: Rs. 90,000 plus 15 percent of the amount exceeding Rs. 1,800,000

    5. Where taxable income exceeds Rs. 2,500,000 but does not exceed Rs. 3,500,000: Rs. 195,000 plus 17.5 percent of the amount exceeding Rs. 2,500,000

    6. Where taxable income exceeds Rs. 3,500,000 but does not exceed Rs. 5,000,000: Rs. 370,000 plus 20 percent of the amount exceeding Rs. 3,500,000

    7. Where taxable income exceeds Rs. 5,000,000 but does not exceed Rs. 8,000,000: Rs. 670,000 plus 22.5 percent of the amount exceeding Rs. 5,000,000

    8. Where taxable income exceeds Rs. 8,000,000 but does not exceed Rs. 12,000,000: Rs. 1,345,000 plus 25 percent of the amount exceeding Rs. 8,000,000

    9. Where taxable income exceeds Rs. 12,000,000 but does not exceed Rs.30,000,000: Rs. 2,345,000 plus 27.5 percent of the amount exceeding Rs.12,000,000

    10. Where taxable income exceeds Rs. 30,000,000 but does not exceed Rs.50,000,000: Rs. 7,295,000 plus 30 percent of the amount exceeding Rs. 30,000,000

    11. Where taxable income exceeds Rs. 50,000,000 but does not exceed Rs.75,000,000: Rs. 13,295,000 plus 32.5 percent of the amount exceeding Rs. 50,000,000

    12. Where taxable income exceeds Rs.75,000,000: Rs. 21,420,000 plus 35 percent of the amount exceeding Rs. 75,000,000″;

    For non-salaried persons deriving income exceeding Rs.400,000, eight taxable slabs of income with tax rates ranging from 5 percent to 35 percent are being introduced in the following manner:-

    1. Where taxable income does not exceed Rs. 400,000: zero percent tax

    2. Where taxable income exceeds Rs. 400,000 but does not exceed Rs. 600,000: 5 percent of the amount exceeding Rs. 600,000

    3. Where taxable income exceeds Rs. 600,000 but does not exceed Rs. 1,200,000: Rs. 10,000 plus 10 percent of the amount exceeding Rs. 600,000

    4. Where taxable income exceeds Rs. 1,200,000 but does not exceed Rs. 2,400,000: Rs. 70,000 plus 15 percent of the amount exceeding Rs. 1,200,000

    5. Where taxable income exceeds Rs 2,400,000 but does not exceed Rs 3,000,000: Rs. 250,000 plus 20 percent of amount exceeding 2,400,000

    — Where taxable income exceeds Rs 3,000,000 but does not exceed Rs 4,000,000: Rs. 370,000 plus 25 percent of the amount exceeding Rs 3,000,000

    5. Where taxable income exceeds Rs. 4,000,000 but does not exceed Rs. 6,000,000: Rs. 620,000 plus 30 percent of the amount exceeding Rs. 4,000,000

    6. Where taxable income exceeds Rs. 6,000,000: Rs. 1,220,000 plus 35 percent of the amount exceeding Rs. 6,000,000

    Freezing of Corporate Tax Rate:

    The tax rate for companies has gradually been decreased from 35 percent in tax year 2013, to 30 percent in tax year 2018.Through the Finance Act, 2018, the tax rate for companies was further intended to be reduced from 30 percent in tax year 2018 to 25 percent in tax year 2023.

    At present, for tax year 2019 the tax rate is 29 percent. As the tax rates have already been reduced from 35 percent to 29 percent in the last six years, and the fact that Pakistan has the lowest corporate tax rate in the region, the tax rate for companies has been fixed at 29 percent in order to recover and maintain the tax base to ensure revenue.

    Taxation of Capital Gains on immoveable properties:

    At present capital gain on immovable properties is subject to separate taxation on the basis of holding period of property. The tax rates are 10 percent, 7.5 percent and 5 percent for holding periods less than one year, between one to two years and between two to three years respectively.

    There is no tax if the property is held for more than three years. In order to check tax evasion and to ensure equal taxation of all incomes, income from capital gains is being brought under the normal tax regime and taxed at normal rates. However, to account for the time value of money, the gain on open plots would be reduced on the basis of net present value so that where the holding period is upto one year the full gain will be taxed.

    Where the holding period is between one to ten years, 75 percent of the gain shall be taxed and there will be no tax in case the holding period is more than ten years.

    Similarly, gain on sale of constructed property is to be fully taxed where the holding period is upto one year and 75 percent of the gain will be taxed where the holding period is between one to five years. Where the holding period is above five years no gains shall be taxed

    Taxation of the Real Estate Sector:

    In Pakistan the Real Estate sector is one of the biggest sources of money laundering and is used as a parking lot for untaxed as well as ill-gotten money. In view of this a wide range of steps have been taken to restructure the taxation of this sector. The various steps being taken are as under:-

    (i) At present, the Board has issued valuation tables of immovable properties in 21 major cities wherein such properties are valued at a value higher than the DC rates. The purchasers are also required to pay 3 percent tax on the difference between the DC value and FBR value of property to explain the source of investment to the extent of differential between FBR value and DC value.

    The rates notified by the Board are still considerably lower than actual market value. It is therefore intended that FBR rates of immovable properties would be taken closer to or about 85 percent of actual market value. In addition, 3 percent tax for not explaining the source of investment is being withdrawn.

    (ii) As the increase in FBR values of immovable property is going to increase the incidence of tax on genuine buyers and sellers, the rate of withholding tax on purchase of immovable property is being reduced from 2 percent to 1 percent.

    (iii) At present, withholding tax on purchase of property is attracted only if the value of property is more than four million rupees. The threshold of four million rupees is being abolished and withholding tax on purchase is to be collected irrespective of the value of property.

    (iv) At present, there is no withholding tax on sale of property if the property is held for a period of more than three years. Since capital gain is to be taxed under normal tax regime even beyond the period of three years, withholding tax on sale of property would be collected where the holding period is up to five years.

    (v) Presently the law imposes restriction on registration or transfer of property having fair market value exceeding rupees five million in the name of a nonfiler. The aforesaid restriction placed on purchase of immovable property is being withdrawn.

    Transition from Final Tax Regime to Minimum Tax Regime:

    Income tax by its inherent nature is tax charged and levied on income. However presently persons involved in certain transactions are not required to pay tax on their actual profit. Instead, the tax collected or deducted on these transactions is treated as final tax liability.

    This regime is available persons to such as commercial importers, commercial suppliers of goods, contractors, persons deriving brokerage or commission income and persons earning income from CNG stations. The tax collected or deducted from the aforesaid persons shall now be treated as minimum tax liability except for exporters, persons winning prizes and sellers of petroleum products. This measure is designed as a first step for gradual phasing out of the final tax regime and transition to income based taxation for all persons.

    Computation of income for Super tax :

    Presently brought forward depreciation and business losses are excluded while computing income for calculating liability of super tax. However, such losses are not excluded in the case of banking, insurance, oil and mineral exploration companies.

    In order to ensure similar tax treatment, brought forward business and depreciation losses have been excluded from income computed to calculate super tax in the case of the abovementioned sectors.

    Tax on Dividend income:

    At present dividend income is not part of income under normal tax regime and is subject to separate taxation. The standard rate of tax on dividend income is 15 percent.

    The present tax rate of 7.5 percent on dividend received on shares of a company set up for power generation or on shares of a company supplying coal exclusively to power generation projects is being increased to 15 percent.

    Further, tax rate of dividend is being charged at 25 percent for persons receiving dividend from companies which enjoy exemption of tax on income or where no tax is payable due to availability of tax credits or due to brought forward business or depreciation losses.

    Presently the rate of tax on dividend received by a person from a mutual fund is 10 percent and 12.5 percent. Persons receiving dividend from stock fund is also taxed 12.5 percent. Furthermore dividend received by a person from a development REIT scheme is reduced by 50 percent of the normal rate. Now all these rates are being enhanced to 15 percent. For withholding tax on dividend also a standard rate of 15 percent is being applied for persons receiving income.

    Abolishing initial allowance on buildings:

    Presently initial allowance at the rate of 15 percent is allowed in the case of buildings. The said initial allowance on buildings is being abolished.

    Taxation of Profit on Debt

    Presently the profit on debt is taxed separately and is not part of the income in normal tax regime. The tax rates are 10 percent, 12.5 percent and 15 percent for slabs up to five million rupees, between five million to twenty five million rupees and above twenty five million rupees respectively. The rates are being revised wherein tax rates for profit on debt not exceeding Rs 5 million shall be increased from 10 percent to 15 percent, between Rs 5 and 25 million tax rates shall be increased from 12.5 percent to 17.5 percent and from 25 to 36 million tax rates are being increased from 15 percent to 20 percent.

    The rate of advance withholding tax on payment of profit on debt is also being enhanced from 10 percent to 15 percent. Furthermore, the separate rates mentioned above would be applicable for profit on debt up to Rs.36 million and for amounts exceeding Rs. 36 million the profit on debt will be made part of the total income and taxed at normal rates.

    Measures to avoid profit shifting to dealer

    A new provision has been introduced to combat profit shifting by manufacturers, in the form of excess commission to commission agents/dealers, to avoid their actual tax liability. Now any amount of commission paid in excess of 0.2 percent of the gross amount of supplies shall be disallowed unless the dealer is registered under the Sales Tax Act, 1990 and also appearing in the active taxpayers list of income tax.

    Further, where the excess commission is being paid to a dealer who is an associate, 75 percent of margin paid to dealer is to be treated as income of the supplier

    Reduction in limit of foreign remittance as source of investment:

    Presently foreign remittance equivalent to Rs. 10 million as a source of investment can not be probed. Now the said threshold is being reduced from Rs.10 million to Rs.5 million for explaining the source of investment through foreign remittance.

    Streamlining taxation of banking companies:

    Banks generally do not offer for taxation the provisions which were previously allowed but later on reversed. Therefore reversal of provisions already allowed is being made taxable by inserting an explanation in the Seventh Schedule. Banks are also allowed to claim deduction in respect of provisions classified as “doubtful” and “loss”. Now only deductions only in respect of provisions classified as “loss” are to be allowed.

    Banks are earning substantial profits on account of incremental exposure to government securities. Therefore profit from such government securities as is in excess of twenty percent of total profit before tax is being taxed separately at the rate of 37.5 percent.

    Useful life of intangibles:

    At present, expenditure regarding intangibles is amortized over the useful life of the intangible. However, where the intangible has a useful life exceeding ten years, the expenditure is amortized over a maximum period of ten years.

    In this way, large Built-Operate-Transfer projects amortize their intangible expenditure over a period of ten years whereas their useful life is more than twenty years.

    Now amendment is being made in law wherein the expenditure regarding intangibles be amortized over a period of 25 years where the useful life is unascertainable.

    Further, it has also been proposed that where the useful life of the intangible is ascertainable the expenditure regarding the intangible be amortized over the actual number of years for which such intangible is to be used

    Enhancing withholding tax rate on dealers, commission agents and arhatis:

    Presently every market committee is required to collect advance tax from dealers, commission agents and arhatis at the time of issuance or renewal of licenses. Now the tax rates are being increase for Class A from Rs 10,000 to Rs 100,000/-, for Class B from Rs 7,500 to 75,000/-, for Class C from Rs 5,000/- to Rs. 50,000 and for any other category from Rs 5,000/-. To Rs. 50,000/-.

    Procedural Measures

    Purchase of assets through banking channel

    In order to ensure documentation of real estate transactions and also to ascertain the actual value of a transaction of purchase of asset, persons purchasing immovable property of fair market value greater than rupees five million and one million or more in the case of any other asset, would now be required to make payment for the said purchase through a crossed banking instrument so that transaction can be clearly identified from one bank account to another.

    In case of non-compliance, the deductions in respect of depreciation and amortization in respect of such assets shall not be allowed. Further, the amount of purchase shall not be treated as cost for calculation of any gain on sale of such asset.

    A penalty at the rate of five percent of FBR value of asset is being be imposed for violation of this requirement.

    Simplified tax regime for certain persons:

    The Federal government seeks to bring certain persons in the tax net by incentivizing such persons through simplified taxation and simplified procedures of record keeping, tax payment, return filing and assessment.

    The intended sectors are small businesses, construction businesses, medical practitioners, hospitals, educational institutions, and any other sector specified.

    Therefore an enabling provision has been introduced which authorizes the Federal Government, to notify the aforementioned special provisions in such cities or territories, as may be specified.

    Streamlining of tax credits under section 100C:

    Presently, under section 100C, non-profit organizations, trusts and welfare institutions are allowed hundred percent tax credit subject to certain conditions. However, NPOs are only allowed this 100 percent credit on the condition that they are recognized by the Commissioner according to a prescribed procedure whereas, there is no such requirement of recognition for trusts and welfare institutions. Now in order to ensure similar treatment and oversight, trusts and welfare institutions shall also be required to obtain recognition from Commissioner to avail the facility of 100 percent tax credit.

    Independent evaluation of non-arm’s length transactions between associates:

    Entering into non-arm’s length transactions is a common method employed by associated companies to evade income tax by not declaring transactions on their true market value. In order to ascertain the actual market price in such situations, a comprehensive data of comparables is required. Since such data is not readily available, the Commissioner is being empowered to obtain such data from an independent chartered accountant or cost accountant.

    Recovery of AOP’s liability from member:

    Under the existing law, tax payable by a member of association of persons can be recovered from the association itself. On the contrary, tax payable by an association of persons cannot be recovered from its member. Now where any tax payable by an association of persons cannot be recovered, the same would be recovered from any person who is a member of the association.

    The member would thereafter be allowed to recover the tax paid by him from the AOP.

    Separation of Audit and Assessment:

    Presently when a taxpayer is selected for audit of its tax affairs, the Commissioner is required to obtain taxpayer’s explanation on issues raised in audit and thereafter, amend the assessment, if need be.

    The assessment function of the said process is being separated from the audit function. The functions of audit and assessment shall be performed by separate and independent officers to ensure impartial treatment to the taxpayers.

    Business Registration Scheme:

    At present, only taxpayers are required to register with the Board for tax purposes. Persons deriving business income who are otherwise not required to file return being below taxable threshold are not required to register.

    In order to create a verifiable database of all persons deriving business income, a new registration scheme is being introduced where every person deriving business income, even if below the tax threshold shall be required to register with the Board through NADRA’s e-sahulat centres.

    Business registration per se would not make the registrant liable to file return. However, it would create a database which would be a source of detecting new taxpayers in the future.

    Authority to amend the order of recovery from withholding agent:

    Where a tax is required to be collected or deducted by a withholding agent but fails to deduct or collect tax or deposit the same, tax is recoverable from the withholding agent through a recovery order.

    Such order to recover tax is at times erroneous or prejudicial to interest of revenue but there is no provision in law to amend such order. Therefore a provision to amend order of recovery has been introduced subject to the condition that such power shall not be exercised by an officer below the rank of Additional Commissioner Inland Revenue.

    Amendment in the definition of resident individual

    Presently a resident individual for a tax year is defined as an individual who is present in Pakistan for a period of, or periods amounting in aggregate to, one hundred and eighty-three 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.

    Now the definition of resident is being amended to include an individual present in Pakistan for a period of, or periods amounting in aggregate to, ninety days or more in the tax year and who, in the four years preceding the tax year, has been in Pakistan for a period of, or periods amounting in aggregate to, three hundred and sixty-five days or more.

    Automated Impersonal Tax Regime:

    A new provision is being introduced which authorizes the Board to design an Automated Impersonal Tax Regime and prescribe rules in respect of the same through a notification in the gazette. The purpose of this regime is to minimize the interaction between officials and taxpayers which are low risk and compliant.

    Restricting the scope of power of the Federal Government to grant exemption:

    At present, the Federal Government has the power to grant exemption from any tax or reduce a tax rate or tax liability whenever circumstances exist to take immediate action for the purposes of national security, natural disaster, national food security in emergency situations, protection of national economic interests in situations arising out of abnormal fluctuation in international commodity prices, removal of anomalies in taxes, development of backward areas, implementation of bilateral and multilateral agreements or granting an exemption from any tax imposed under this Ordinance to any international financial institution or foreign Government owned financial institution.

    Now the aforesaid power to grant exemption is being limited to the extent of emergency situations only and that the power to grant exemption to remove anomaly in taxes and for development of backward areas is being be withdrawn. Any exemption in the case of anomaly of taxes and for development of backward areas would be granted through an Act of Parliament or through an Ordinance if the Parliament is not in session.

    Proceedings against persons committing financial malpractices:

    In order to effectively check misuse of authority to gain financial benefit, a new enabling provision is being introduced to prescribe rules for initiating criminal proceedings against officers and officials of the Board who deliberately commit acts or fail to act for personal benefits. Similar action would also be taken against persons who offer bribes or other financial benefits to the tax employees.

  • 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.