Senate Body Approves Govt's Proposals To Tighten Noose Against Non-Tax Filers.

ISLAMABAD -- Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue on Thursday has approved the government's proposals to tighten noose against non-tax filers by disconnecting their electricity and gas connections and blocking SIM cards.

The govt in Finance Bill 2022-23 has proposed to tighten noose against non-tax filers. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) would ask relevant authorities to disconnect the electricity and gas connections and block SIM cards of the non-tax filers. The Senate's committee has approved the proposal. The FBR authorities informed the committee that the FBR places penalty of 0.1 pc for each day after the due date for the filing of tax. The committee members said that decision would help in broadening of tax base of the country. Committee met on the third consecutive day to finalize the Finance Bill 2022-2023. Senator Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar said that the export of raw materials should be discouraged so that the supply of raw materials within the country could be increased and promote industrialization. FBR officials briefed the committee on tax exemptions on the import of bulletproof buses and special vehicles for the security of foreigners working on CPEC and major power projects. He said that such special vehicles could be imported only after the NOC of the Interior Ministry and only federal and provincial governments would be authorized to import such vehicles. FBR officials told the committee that now payments of over one million could only be made through digital means. The purpose is to record financial transactions.

Dr. Shahzad Waseem, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, expressed his deep concern over the absence of the relevant ministers from the proceedings of the committee. He said that non-participation of ministers in the proceedings of the committee was tantamount to contempt of the House. Minister of State for Finance Dr. Aisha Ghous Pasha joined the committee meeting and answered the questions of the members. Leader of the Opposition Dr. Shahzad Waseem, quoting FATA/PATA, questioned that despite tax exemptions being given in these areas till 2023, notices are being sent to the people. Chairman FBR replied that FATA/PATA has only income tax and sales tax exemption and notices have been sent with reference to federal excise duty. Dr. Ayesha Ghous Pasha, while briefing the committee regarding Gain Tax, said that the tax period on immovable property is being extended from four years to six years so that...