KARACHI: Pakistan Business Council (PBC) has detected that various tax laws are discouraging investment in the country. The council recommended measures for promoting industrialization, growth and job creation.
The PBC in proposals for budget 2020/2021 said that at present, new local/foreign investors are reluctant to invest in manufacturing industry of Pakistan due to various impediments including collection of sales tax (10 percent upfront plus 3 percent minimum value addition plus 7 percent Postdated cheques) and income tax 5.5 percent at import of plant and machinery/ spare parts in addition to various other taxes and levies thereafter.
The PBC proposed new entry number 1(viii) be inserted in column number 2 of the Table specifying rate of tax at import stage as given in Part-II of the 1st Schedule to the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 as follows:
“(viii) industrial undertakings importing Plant and Machinery and spare parts”
The PBC further said that the current rate of minimum tax is 1.5 percent, this tax on turnover is impacting the sustainability of industries especially in the light of current crises.
The provision under which the minimum turnover tax is charged, both for manufacturing and services sectors should be suspended for at least the next two financial years.
As income of SEZ entity (Zone Enterprise or operator) is exempt from income tax for a period of 10 years, there should not be any withholding of Income tax at source at any stage for Zone Enterprises and under any provisions of ITO till such time exemption is available to the Zone Enterprise.
However currently exemption is not granted under Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 Section 113, 147, 148, 153, 236K, 236W etc., from collection of income tax.
Since income of Zone enterprise is exempt from income tax under clause 126E, it is proposed that exemption be granted to Zone enterprises and operators from all withholding and tax collection provisions as these will lead to refunds.
The PBC recommended necessary insertion be made in clause 11A of Part IV of the Fourth schedule to the Income Tax Ordinance to exempt Zone operator and Entity from minimum tax under section 113.
Import of raw material by Export Oriented sector is subject to income tax withholding of 1 percent whereas on the other hand, import of Plant & Machinery by these sectors is subject to 5.5 percent income tax withholding.
Entry no. 1(iv) in column number 2 of the Table specifying rate of tax at import stage as given in Part-II of the 1st Schedule to the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 be amended as follows:
“Manufacturers covered under Notification No. S.R.O. 1125(I)/2011 dated the 31st December, 2011 and importing items covered under S.R.O. 1125(I)/2011 dated the 31st December, 2011, Plant & Machinery and Spare parts;”
Greenfield Industries –
Through the Tax Laws (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 2019, the term Greenfield industries has been defined in the Income Tax and Sales Tax laws to make it identical to “Pioneer Industry”.
Therefore it is recommended: “Delete condition no. “(iv)” of the definition of Greenfield industry to make it distinct from Pioneer industry, otherwise the purpose of growth through investment would not be achieved.”
