Sales tax: Traders oppose changes in tax returns

KARACHI: Pakistan Chemical and Dyes Merchants Association Chairman Muhammad Haroon Agar has expressed concern over changes in monthly sales tax returns. Terming it anti-business, Agar said the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), instead of facilitating the traders, was harassing them. “This will lead to revenue losses as traders may opt to end their sales tax registration,” he said and demanded withdrawal of the amendments. The amended returns seek goods declaration, details of products and raw materials and information about item codes. He said e-filing of sales tax had been made so complicated that traders had to hire additional staff for filing tax returns, which was not viable in present slow business conditions.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 3^rd, 2011.