ISLAMABAD:Chief Coordinator of the Tajir Dost Scheme Naeem Mir said that the government has expanded the scheme to 42 cities, a move that is expected to increase tax revenue and streamline the tax filing process for traders.
Addressing a press conference at the Regional Tax Office Lahore, he said earlier the scheme was launched in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Rawalpindi and Quetta, said a news release here on Friday.
He said that, as per the Prime Minister’s directives, consultations with trade organizations are underway, and the advance tax table for 42 cities has been issued.
He said that advance tax will be collected from the retailers in all the districts included in this scheme which will be adjustable.
While preparing the advance tax table, categories of backward, middle and downgraded areas have been taken and special care has been taken to ensure that the tax is levied fairly.
Naeem Mir said that video conferencing was held with trade representatives from 42 cities at 17 regional tax off
ices to discuss the advance tax table.
The trade representatives agreed to 85% of the advance tax table, while objections were raised on the remaining 15% advance tax imposed on certain areas in each city.
It was decided that trade representatives would submit their alternative proposals/objections to the relevant regional tax offices, which would be considered before issuing a new SRO by the FBR.
Naeem Mir said that so far, 47,000 traders have registered, while Lahore is leading with 21,000 registrations.
He said that the government is determined to expand the tax net and is moving forward with firm resolve.
The trade organizations demanded that a simple Urdu tax return form be issued immediately, which the FBR has started working on.
The traders were informed that they would have to become filers to avoid paying extra tax.
It was decided that a delegation of trade organizations would also meet the Chairman of the FBR in this regard.