ISLAMABAD: Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has said that the slabs of customs duty will be decreased from five to four in the upcoming budget of fiscal year 2016-17. He said that according to the list provided by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), 33,000 taxpayers, whose refunds claim are up to Rs 5 million, will get their refunds until March 15, 2016. He said that the government will announce a new policy within two to three months for those taxpayers whose refund claims are more than Rs 5 million and government is also seriously considering issuing “bonds” for this purpose.
He was addressing a seminar on “Tax Filing Scheme” which was held under the auspices of Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Prime Minister Advisor on Revenue Haroon Akhtar, and Chairman FBR Nisar Mohammad Khan was also present on the occasion. Addressing the participants Ishaq Dar said that we are working on structural reforms, we want to bring more and more people under tax net so the ratio of tax net should be decreased. He said that businessmen are equally stake holder in progress and prosperity of Pakistan.
Federal Finance Minister said that that during current fiscal year we will definitely bring percentage of tax to GDP above 10 percent. He said when we will bring percentage of tax to GDP from ten percent to 15 percent our budget deficit will almost end and our budget will surplus. He said that we have successfully turned FBR as people friendly.
Addressing the gathering Prime Minister Advisor on Revenue Haroon Akhtar has said that we granted to more incentives to traders and now its upto traders to avail this opportunity and try to come under tax net. He also warned that if any trader willfully avoid to pay tax then he will have to face difficulties.
On this occasion in his address President All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajaran Ajmal Baloch has said that traders get whatever they want. He also advised traders to pay taxes now they have to pay to paisas of tax on hundred rupees. He said when 35 lakh traders will pay their taxes we will left China behind us.
Addressing the traders Secretary General of All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajaran Naeem Mir said that Voluntarily Tax Compliance Scheme was the demand of the traders and now its upto traders to avail this opportunity and deposit their taxes.