Retailers’ Tax Scheme to continue beyond 2026: Muhammad Aurangzeb

Mettis Global reported that Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb has said the Retailers' Tax Scheme will continue past 2026. According to him, the programme is designed as a durable and streamlined channel for small shopkeepers to enter the formal tax net and remain in it. He stressed that it should not be treated as a temporary, single-year measure.

The review took place at the Finance Division, where Aurangzeb chaired a session on the scheme's progress and on steps to make registration easier and widen the tax base. Officials present included the Minister of State for Finance, the head of the FBR and senior revenue staff. Progress on enrolment and filings, the involvement of taxpayers already on record, and what they must pay were all examined. Filing rules, due dates and day-to-day operational matters also came up.

A further item involved finding retailers who are not yet registered by matching them against existing data and identification records. The FBR told the session that data needs validating so registration records match the actual businesses. Aurangzeb urged a balanced method that pairs easier compliance with a focused, well documented process, and he argued that lasting progress depends on dependable facilitation and a steady approach.