FBR to map markets, shops nationwide after poor response to Asaan tax scheme

Profit by Pakistan Today reported that the Federal Board of Revenue will start mapping markets and individual shops nationwide from Friday, after weak uptake of the Asaan scheme. The tax authority is aiming for between 500,000 and one million retailers to enter the tax net, with officers working alongside trader representatives during the exercise.

There are about 4.3 million commercial WAPDA electricity meters, but only around 600,000 of their holders have filed returns. Around 200,000 retailers are expected to join on their own, with enforcement applied to the rest. Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani chaired the review, where a problem traders raised about the other income column was reported as fixed.

Kayani urged retailers to use the 15-day extension already granted, warning that late filers will be penalised Rs10,000 in the first month, Rs25,000 in the second and Rs50,000 in the third. He said the scheme had been tailored to traders' needs and penalties were agreed with them. Trader leaders Ajmal Baloch, Kashif Chaudhry and Habib Fakhruddin attended, alongside senior FBR officials and commissioners who joined by video link.