ISLAMABAD:The Excise and Taxation (E&T) Department Islamabad has amassed Rs.11.2 billion tax during fiscal year 2020-21 against set target of Rs 5.8 billion, registering around 80 per cent increase in revenue collection as compared to last three years.

Of the total Rs11.2 billion collection, the excise revenue was Rs 7.98 billion with inclusion of Rs 3.2 billion Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) tax, said Director Excise, Bilal Azam.

Sharing details of tax collection of last three years, Azam told reporter that the department had collected Rs 6.3 billion during fiscal year 2017-18, Rs 6.5 billion in 2018-19 while the collection reached Rs 8.7 billion in 2019-20.

“The department had beaten all records of previous years and thanks to efforts of concerned excise department employees to meet the set enhanced targets,” he remarked.

Giving further details, he said reforms in tax collection by department led to increase in revenue, following directions of Chief Commissioner, Islamabad, Amir Ali Ahmed to ease tax payment process for Capital’s residents, he added.

Bilal Azam said the Department had introduced new methods for tax collection including online payment system, registration and transfer fee through integrated credit cards, bank accounts and other digital means which ultimately helped in increasing revenue collection.

The Director said vehicle owners were submitting token fee through National Database and Registration Authority’s (NADRA)’s e-Sahulat Centres across the country without visiting Excise Office that also helped increased tax revenues.

Similarly, Excise Department had also started facilitating vehicle registration and transfer at doorstep in collaboration with NADRA for convenience of public which also led to surge in revenues, he said.

He said Chief Commissioner Islamabad had also called a special meeting to eulogize performance of the Department and its employees for record revenues collection.