FBR gears up to broaden tax base; action against defaulters on the cards

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) with the help of the National Database Registration Authority (Nadra) will broaden the tax base and take action against the non-taxpayers who are paying no or very nominal taxes.

In this regard, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin chaired a meeting on broadening the tax base at the Finance Division on Monday.

FBR chairman Dr Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmad and his team gave a detailed presentation on the progress of readiness for potential taxpayers outreach initiative to boost the revenue growth and resource mobilisation.

Dr Ahmad apprised the adviser that pragmatic steps have been initiated for compilation of data, with the support of Nadra, which would be available to potential and existing taxpayers in a presentable and comprehensible manner through a web portal.

The key challenges to reach out potential and the existing taxpayers, a public awareness and confidence-building measures taken by the FBR were also discussed in the meeting.

Tarin lauded the steps taken by the apex tax body and stressed that an efficient and robust communication with the taxpayers should be at the center of activity undertaken by the FBR to harness public support for its efforts for broadening the tax base and promoting the tax compliant culture in the country.

The adviser also expressed support and confidence to the FBR team and advised to redouble their efforts and launch the taxpayers’ outreach initiative at the earliest to expand the existing tax base and boost the revenue collection.

Senior officers of the FBR and Finance Division attended the meeting.