ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued notices to over 700,000 non-filers to file their returns within days otherwise action would be started against them
The data of the 700,000 non-filers was gathered through their utility bills. If they failed to file the returns, their mobile phone SIMs would be blocked in the first phase. later, their electricity and gas connections would be severed. The FBR is planning to bring about two million people under the tax net by June 2024 under the direction of the IMF. NADRA has assured it of its cooperation as regard to data of the citizens.
The FBR has notified the establishment of district tax offices, a new initiative to broaden the tax base.
The new offices would be headed by dedicated Inland Revenue Officers in BS-17/18 which would obtain and utilize third-party data acquired from multiple departments and agencies that hold critical information regarding investment in assets and incurring of huge expenditures by potential taxpayers who till now have managed to escape and stayed away from the taxation system including registration and filing of tax returns.
One of the tools to be utilized for this purpose would be invoking recently introduced section 114B in the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 which authorizes the department to disconnect utility connections including electricity and gas connections and blocking of mobile SIMS, if return is not filed in response to notices issued.
A new documentation law is also being introduced to obligate various agencies and departments to provide data to the revenue board through automated common transmission system.
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