ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the tax watchdog of the country makes public the names of 506,671 non-filers and cellphone SIMs of these individuals can be blocked at any time.
In a robust action against non-filers amid the prevailing financial crisis being faced by the cash-strapped country, the government on Tuesday directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the telecom companies to block mobile phone SIMs of over 500,000 non-filers.
FBR in a statement revealed, “In exercise of the powers conferred under section 114B of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, the FBR is pleased to issue this Income Tax General Order (ITGO) to disable the mobile phone SIMs in respect of following persons who are not appearing on active taxpayer list but are liable to file the Income Tax Return for Tax Year 2023 under the provisions of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.
The development came a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hinted at undertaking “massive economic reforms” at the special meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Speaking at the closing plenary of a special meeting of the WEF, the premier vowed to introduce deep-rooted reforms and adopt meaningful austerity to steer the country out of the economic crisis.
The FBR asked the PTA and all telecom operators to ensure compliance with the Income Tax General Order (ITGO) with immediate effect.
“The mobile SIMs in respect of the above-mentioned individuals will remain blocked until restored by FBR or the Commissioner Inland Revenue having jurisdiction of the person.”
The tax collection body further said: “The compliance report in this regard is to be furnished to the FBR on May 15.”
The FBR made public the names of 506,671 non-filers and said that these individuals were not filing income tax returns despite having taxable income.
The mobile SIMs of these individuals could be blocked at any time, the FBR added. These individuals are not included in the list of active taxpayers, read the statement.
The top tax collection body further said that the “strategic step” shows its commitment to tax compliance among taxpayers. The objective behind the move is to strengthen the tax base with the support of concerned state holders, the FBR added.
“The FBR is committed to promoting a just, fair and uniform tax system in the country.”
It further said that the non-filers could get their mobile phone SIMs restored by filing their tax return for the year 2023.
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