The abolition of FBR super tax applies to exporters and to businesses whose annual income does not exceed Rs500 million, State Minister for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani told the Senate on Friday. He also said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is focusing on reforms in the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and its attached departments, particularly Pakistan Customs. The House was adjourned until Monday after a quorum was pointed out, so its scheduled business was not taken up.
Who the Super Tax change covers
Kayani said the government has reduced Super Tax from 10 to eight percent for businesses earning more than Rs500 million a year. Super Tax is an additional tax on the income of larger businesses, and the minister said the rate could be lowered further as fiscal space, meaning the room in the budget to give up revenue, allows. The two measures are separate: abolition for exporters and smaller firms, and a cut for larger ones. On exporters, Kayani said the government is working with exporters to improve the Export Facilitation Scheme, which lets them import raw material while availing tax incentives.
Customs reforms and corruption complaints
Kayani said the PM is focusing on eradicating corruption and digitising operations at the FBR, with Customs as a priority. The Faceless Customs Assessment (FCA) system has been introduced to reduce face-to-face contact in clearing goods from ports, he said. A task force has also been set up at airports to improve transparency in Customs operations. Figures shared in the Senate showed 114 complaints against Pakistan Customs Services officers, with penalties in 45 cases, 47 dropped and 22 still under investigation. For the Inland Revenue Service, 113 complaints led to penalties in nine cases, 71 dropped and 33 under investigation.
The minister gave no timeline for a further Super Tax cut. He also said that under the PM's ApnaGhar Scheme, loans of up to Rs10 million are available at a five percent interest rate.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Senate mein state minister Bilal Azhar Kayani ne bataya ke super tax ka khatam hona exporters aur 500 million rupay tak salana aamdani wale karobaron par lagu hoga. 500 million rupay se zyada kamane wale karobaron ke liye super tax 10 se kam hokar 8 percent kar diya gaya hai. PM Shehbaz Sharif FBR aur Customs mein corruption kam karne aur kaam digital karne par zor de rahe hain. Aam shehri ke liye abhi bijli, petrol ya bill ki qeemat par direct asar ka zikr nahi hua.
