100 lawmakers did not file tax returns in 2017

Draft of soon-to-be-released FBR report states 116 parliamentarians had not filed income tax returns in 2016

ISLAMABAD : A total of 100 parliamentarians have not filed income tax returns for the year 2017, says the draft of the Fifth Tax Directory to be released by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

The number of parliamentarians, who did not file their income tax returns during 2016, stood at 116 while in 2015, it was 120.

Sources said, “The FBR has decided to publish the Fifth Tax Directory for parliamentarians and the general public.”

Summary for publication of the directory has been approved by the finance ministry and has now been sent for final approval to the federal cabinet, they said, adding that after the approval, the FBR Tax Directory 2018, presenting tax year information for 2017, would be published.

According to the summary sent for final approval to the federal cabinet, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, the FBR, in a bid to ensure high transparency, first published its tax directory in 2013.



The move was widely lauded by various segments of society.

Continuing with its tradition of ensuring transparency in the revenue division and continuation of the accountability policy, the FBR intends to publish the taxpayers’ directory for tax year 2017.

As per Section 216 (5) of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001, the FBR may publish details of the taxpayers and their returns after approval of the federal government, the summary states, requesting the federal cabinet to approve publication of the 5th edition of FBR Tax Directory.

Government officials said the FBR would release the tax directory 2017 after the cabinet’s approval.

Sources said details of the taxes given by the parliamentarians would be revealed in the fifth edition of the tax directory.