Survey under way to increase tax net
The government has not completely ruled out the possibility of taking additional taxation measures and has shared some pro-posals with the IMF, said the sources. PHOTO: FILE
The Government of Punjab Excise and Taxation Department has begun a new survey in the Rawalpindi division to include more properties into the tax net.
Special mobile teams have been constituted under several excise inspectors for this purpose. These teams will conduct surveys in 19 union councils (UCs) and maintain a record of all properties, including newly built houses.
New shops and plazas, rented out houses, and commercial ventures built within residential areas will be brought under the tax net.
According to the existing law, property tax is waived on 5-Marla residential units. However, any rented house that is between 1-5 Marlas will now become eligible for taxation.
All cottage factories, bakeries and confectionaries, and godowns of big stores will also be taxed as well.
Roughly, some 30-35 per cent of new residential and commercial units will be covered in the tax regime.
The survey is to be completed sometime by end of this year, or by the beginning of January next year.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 8th, 2021.