ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has decided to share details of salaried persons with Employees Old-age Benefit Institution (EOBI) in order to ensure deduction and contribution by employers.
The FBR elaborated changes made through Finance Act, 2017 regarding disclosure of information to EOBI under Section 216 of Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.
The FBR said that disclosure of such information would enable EOBI to cross check information regarding the number of employees and salaries being disbursed by various employers and shall assist EOBI in preventing revenue leakages.
The FBR said that as per sub-section (1) of Section 216 of the Ordinance, public servants are not authorized to disclose any particulars contained in:
- Any statement made, return furnished, or accounts or documents produced under the provisions of the Ordinance.
- Any evidence given, or affidavit or deposition made in the course of any proceedings under this Ordinance barring proceedings under Part XI of Chapter X of the Ordinance.
3. Any record of assessment proceedings or any proceeding relating to the recovery of a demand.
“However, disclosure of such information is permissible in specific circumstances and to specific persons delineated under Sub-Section (3) of Section 216 of the Ordinance,” the FBR said.
Through the Finance Act, 2017 the scope of disclosure of information by FBR has been extended to the EOBI in respect of information regarding salaries furnished through withholding tax statements filed under Section 165 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.
