Govt aims to expand tax net in new budget
FBR chief says businessmen should take initiative and help resolve pending issues
PHOTO: REUTERS
LAHORE:
Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Dr Muhammad Irshad said on Friday that the government would widen the tax net in the upcoming budget.
During a visit to the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Irshad said the government was going to present a historic budget after extensive consultations with all stakeholders in the economy.
“The concept of placing extra burden on taxpayers is incorrect,” he said. “The government will not spare non-filers and is committed to receiving tax from the people who are unwilling to pay.”
Responding to complaints about raids on factories by the FBR’s field officers, the chairman said the government did not want to put any industry in trouble, but sometimes misunderstandings occurred due to communication gap.
“We will constitute an advisory committee to create friendly atmosphere between government departments and the business community,” he said.
Irshad asked businessmen to take initiative and help resolve issues pending with the FBR in order to receive concessionary treatment.
“The business community and the FBR have the same goal, which is to increase revenue and business in the country. Hence, all issues should be resolved through a conducive and friendly environment,” he said.
The FBR chairman also clarified that the perception of decline in the number of tax return filers was not correct as the number of filers had jumped to 1.4 million from 0.7 million since the present government came to power.
“The filers will be facilitated and nobody will be allowed to tease or harass them as they are the backbone of the economy,” he said. “Tax refunds of Rs57 billion have already been disbursed, while the issue of the remaining amount will soon be resolved.”
Regarding double taxation, Irshad said provincial governments had the right to collect few taxes after the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, but the FBR was fully aware of the issue and would raise voice at a proper forum.
Earlier, LCCI President Abdul Basit apprised the FBR chairman about the issues being faced by the business community.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 13th, 2017.
Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Dr Muhammad Irshad said on Friday that the government would widen the tax net in the upcoming budget.
During a visit to the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Irshad said the government was going to present a historic budget after extensive consultations with all stakeholders in the economy.
“The concept of placing extra burden on taxpayers is incorrect,” he said. “The government will not spare non-filers and is committed to receiving tax from the people who are unwilling to pay.”
Responding to complaints about raids on factories by the FBR’s field officers, the chairman said the government did not want to put any industry in trouble, but sometimes misunderstandings occurred due to communication gap.
“We will constitute an advisory committee to create friendly atmosphere between government departments and the business community,” he said.
Irshad asked businessmen to take initiative and help resolve issues pending with the FBR in order to receive concessionary treatment.
“The business community and the FBR have the same goal, which is to increase revenue and business in the country. Hence, all issues should be resolved through a conducive and friendly environment,” he said.
The FBR chairman also clarified that the perception of decline in the number of tax return filers was not correct as the number of filers had jumped to 1.4 million from 0.7 million since the present government came to power.
“The filers will be facilitated and nobody will be allowed to tease or harass them as they are the backbone of the economy,” he said. “Tax refunds of Rs57 billion have already been disbursed, while the issue of the remaining amount will soon be resolved.”
Regarding double taxation, Irshad said provincial governments had the right to collect few taxes after the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, but the FBR was fully aware of the issue and would raise voice at a proper forum.
Earlier, LCCI President Abdul Basit apprised the FBR chairman about the issues being faced by the business community.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 13th, 2017.