Celebrity tax-dodgers on FBR’s hit list

To receive legal notices asking them to file income tax returns.

ISLAMABAD:

A legendary former cricketer and a pop singer turned activist have been identified among those who operate dozens of bank accounts, own luxury vehicles and are frequent flyers to various destinations of the world but do not have national tax numbers and are not paying tax on their incomes.

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has completed its homework and these so-called “big fish” are among 45 identified tax dodgers who will soon receive legal notices asking them to file their income tax returns.

The moves are part of the FBR’s endeavour to bring at least three million people in the tax net who remain outside it due to both the corruption of FBR officials and the corrupt practices of individuals.

The FBR has collected the information about these individuals from the National Database and Registration Authority, National Highway Authority, Excise Department and cross-checked it with its own databank. The Express Tribune has withheld the names, Computerized National Identity Card Numbers and pictures of those indentified at the request of authorities

The pop singer is from Narowal district of Punjab and lives in Defence Housing Authority, Lahore. He is among 45 individuals who are not familiar with the concept of paying tax.

This iconic figure has made as much as 46 trips abroad and spent 268 days overseas during the last five years. He is also known for his charitable work for the provision of health services to the needy.

His major destinations remain London, Manchester, Muscat, Kuwait, Frankfurt, Dubai, Doha, New York, Birmingham and Bangkok. Presumably, he might have gone to perform in concerts and his visits could be financed by his host, however, his income is not exempt from taxes.

He owns a BMW and a Corolla and maintains 23 bank accounts in almost all major banks. His last bank account was opened at Bank Alfalah in May of this year.

According to the FBR, in this nation of 180 million, only 1.02 million are genuine taxpayers.

After retiring from international cricket in 2003 the cricketer, who held the world record of maximum score in one day for a longer time, has now devoted his life to preaching Islam. He lives in Defence Housing Authority in Karachi. He also does not have NTN and pays no income tax.

Since December 2007, the cricketer travelled abroad on 26 occasions, spending 259 days overseas. The cricketer has two vehicles and operates 12 bank accounts, with the last one being opened at Standard Chartered Bank in July 2012.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 10^th, 2012.