FBR to tighten the noose around tax evaders

Assures support to businesses already in the tax net.

LAHORE: The Federal Budget 2013-14, due to be announced in the second week of June, is based on a theme reviving the economy. However under-filers, tax evaders and those involved in under-invoicing will not be spared, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Ansar Javed told businessmen in Lahore.

Addressing the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the FBR House, Javed said the FBR considered businessmen as partners and not adversaries. Javed expressed regret that taxpayers were not declaring and filing their full returns voluntarily.

FBR was working on plugging the leakages in the system, and under-invoicing was one of these loopholes, Javed said.

FBR has identified five to six countries from where under-invoiced goods are imported, and as these imports hurt the protection provided to the local industry, the sectors in distress will be supported through various measures.

Speaking on the occasion, LCCI President Farooq Iftikhar highlighted the fields where the trade and industry expected relief from the FBR. He said that the policies should be aimed at widening the tax net rather than heavily taxing the already taxed. There is a strong need for long term planning and consistency in government policies.

While appreciating the chairman of the revenue authority for giving a patient hearing to LCCI’s demands, Iftikhar said that the business community wants to contribute its share to the exchequer by paying all taxes, but unfortunately businesses already in the tax net were pressurised by the FBR for meeting revenue targets instead of bringing new taxpayers in the system.

Load-shedding has gone up to 14 hours in business hubs, he complained, forcing a number of units to close operations. Gas shortages and deteriorating law and order situation had also worsened the situation.

He said that the business community fully supported the idea of documentation of the economy to improve tax collection, bring transparency and efficient handling of import and export consignments at all ports in Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 31^st, 2013.

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