The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) taken a tough stance and warned those who have not filed income tax returns that there could be severe repercussions, including bank account freeze and limitations on both domestic and international travel.
To identify non-filers for registration purposes, a national survey aimed at enterprises and commercial units is now in progress, according to Muhammad Asif, Chief of Broadening the Tax Base (BTB).
He advised those who have not filed to register as soon as possible with the closest tax office in order to avoid penalties, fines, utility disconnections, bank account suspensions, and, in severe circumstances, prohibitions on driving on public roads and taking international flights.
Details will soon available on the FBR website. FBR’s field units across the nation are busy conducting surveys and gathering data on enterprises and commercial operations.
Additionally, with a population of 240 million, Pakistan has a limited tax base—just 5.2 million people registered with the tax system and file returns in 2022, according to official documents.
Numerous tax evasion cases, a low tax-to-GDP ratio, and a lack of tax filers all affect the nation’s ability to generate income and impede the provision of essential public services and socioeconomic development projects.
Acknowledging the pressing necessity of expanding the tax base, FBR launched a national campaign to encourage eligible people and those earning taxable income to sign up for the tax system and submit their income returns.
The target for this year is to bring on 1.5 million more taxpayers.
To read our blog on “FBR encountered massive WHT evasion scam in Punjab,” click here.
