FBR Forms Special Committees to Introduce Unified Tax Portal

The Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) has established three committees to create a unified sales tax portal. The initiative, outlined in a recent FBR notification, involves comprehensive teamwork among highly ranked officials, with each committee featuring ten officers.

The supervisory committee, a significant component of this new structure, boasts the expertise of senior government officers of grade 21, including Member IT, Dr. Nassir, and Ardsher Saleem, a reform member. Their leadership is expected to guide the strategic direction of this tax system overhaul.

Implementation and Coordination: Steps Towards Tax Reform

The implementation committee’s formation marks a critical phase, staffed by grade-20 officers like Zainul Abideen and program director Muhammad Khalid. Their roles are pivotal in operationalizing the framework developed by the supervisory body, driving the project towards its ultimate goal: a simplified, single sales tax portal.

This development comes from Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar’s emphasis on tax reform as a government priority. During a comprehensive review meeting with the FBR and the Privatisation Division, the Prime Minister highlighted the necessity for enhanced inter-governmental coordination. This cooperative approach facilitates thorough tax documentation and efficient privatization processes for state-owned enterprises recording losses.

The meeting also served as a platform for apprising PM Kakar of FBR’s commitment to achieving an ambitious tax collection target of Rs9415 billion. Fueled by successful collection figures in recent months, the Board is optimistic about its trajectory. For instance, July saw collections of Rs538 billion against a target of Rs534 billion, while August witnessed Rs669 billion against an expected Rs648 billion.

The prime minister received insights into the progressive strategies employed to fortify revenue streams, including a 38.7 per cent rise in domestic tax collections in the fiscal year 2023-24 compared to its predecessor. Incorporating digital tools to boost the tax-to-GDP ratio and integrating FBR’s database with other departments underscore the forward-thinking approach adopted to revitalize Pakistan’s tax system.