ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is preparing to conduct surveys in three major cities using geo-tagging technology to identify and connect retailers and wholesalers with Point of Sale (POS) systems.
Following the failure of the Tajir Dost Scheme (TDS) to integrate retailers into the tax system, the FBR is now considering on-ground surveys in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, targeting potential taxpayers.
The surveys will focus on large shopping malls and businesses using POS systems but failing to generate all receipts through these machines. If successful, the pilot scheme will be expanded nationwide.
This move is aimed at increasing tax compliance and showing the government’s commitment to incorporating these businesses into the tax network.
While Finance Minister Mohammad Aurangzeb reported an increase in the declared tax by traders, amounting to Rs413 billion this fiscal year compared to Rs187 billion last year, the specifics of the actual tax payments remain unclear. It has been noted that the declared tax figures do not fully reflect the actual taxes paid, as some adjustments have been made.
Currently, around 11,000 shops are connected to POS systems, with the number growing to about 22,000 when including their branches. The FBR aims to connect at least 50,000 to 100,000 shops to POS systems and introduce penalties for businesses that issue receipts without using POS machines.
The FBR has implemented a similar system at restaurants and hotels in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), which has proven successful. Despite the underperformance of the Tajir Dost Scheme, which had a target of Rs50 billion, the FBR is moving forward with enforcement measures to meet the IMF’s target. So far, only a small fraction of the target has been achieved.
As part of its broader goals, the FBR is utilizing technology to create a database for tax purposes through geo-tagging, aiming to enhance tax compliance and revenue collection.
