PM Orders FBR to Include Wealthy Individuals in Tax System
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to include wealthy individuals in the tax system.
During a key meeting in Islamabad about FBR reforms and digitization, it was revealed that advanced technology identified 4.9 million people who can afford to pay taxes. The PM emphasized prioritizing the wealthy from this group and ensuring no extra burden on the poor.
FBR officials explained the expansion of the Single Sales Tax Return system, which connects FBR with nationwide revenue authorities and is already in use in the telecom sector. The PM instructed that this system should be applied to all taxpayers by October 2024.
A tax refund fraud of Rs. 800 billion was uncovered in the past four months, showcasing the benefits of FBR’s digitization efforts. However, the PM expressed regret over delays in implementing various FBR reform projects.
It was reported that 83,579 tax cases worth Rs. 3.2 trillion are pending in courts and tribunals. The government has taken steps to resolve these cases, with 63 cases worth Rs. 44 billion disposed of in the last four months.
Since April, 150,000 retailers have registered with a new trader-friendly mobile app. The PM urged ongoing consultation with retailers to improve this system and called for increasing appellate tribunals to 100 for faster case decisions.
The PM also directed enhancements in the customs appellate tribunals and the creation of a dashboard to track tribunal performance. He emphasized fully digitizing the Fraud Detection and Investigation Department of the FBR and developing a central system for all ongoing reform projects.
