The District Taxation Officers
are now granted full authority, under section 114B of the Income Tax Ordinance,
2001, to disconnect utility services such as electricity and gas, as well as
block mobile SIMs for individuals who are non-filers. The Federal Board of
Revenue (FBR) can issue Income Tax General Orders for those not appearing on
the Active Taxpayers List but are obligated to file returns.
Consequences outlined in the
Income Tax General Order include disabling mobile phones or SIMs, discontinuing
electricity, and halting gas connections. To enhance tax compliance, the
Finance Minister has approved the establishment of 145 District Tax Offices,
aiming to bring 1.5 to 2 million new taxpayers into the system by June 2024.
These offices, led by District
Tax Officers, have been established to enforce income tax returns from
non-filers and stop filers. The move aligns with the government's commitment to
boosting revenue and increasing the number of tax filers. These District Tax
Officers, at BS-17/18 level, will leverage third-party data from various
departments to identify potential taxpayers who have thus far evaded the
taxation system.
Section 114B of the Income Tax
Ordinance, 2001, will be utilized to disconnect utilities and block mobile
services if individuals fail to respond to notices. The government is also
introducing a Documentation Law to ensure agencies provide data to the FBR
through an automated system. Collaboration with NADRA is sought to widen the
tax base through data integration, and the chairman of NADRA has pledged
assistance.
This initiative not only
strengthens the FBR's capacity to enforce tax laws but also facilitates
taxpayers in filing returns through the establishment of dedicated offices.
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