FBR to acquire data of 0.7m rich people

NADRA, car makers, banks, airlines and housing authorities to provide information to FBR.

ISLAMABAD: In a bid to broaden the tax net, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has spotted 700,000 rich individuals who own properties, bungalows and expensive vehicles but still evade taxes.

In this regard, the FBR has decided to acquire their data from the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA). A senior official at the FBR told The Express Tribune that they have also started acquiring data from car manufacturers, banks, airlines and housing authorities to cross-check the information provided by NADRA.

Income tax ordinance grants powers to the FBR when it comes to acquiring data from NADRA. However, NADRA officials are of the opinion that their rules do not allow them to share information but if they do it can only be done by charging the recipient for the information.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 5^th, 2011.