LAHORE: The Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) has launched an app for taxpayers to verify the authenticity of receipts through a QR code scanning facility.
According to the PRA, users can download the PRA Sahulat mobile application and scan the QR code printed on a receipt to check whether it is genuine.
The authority says the authenticity of a receipt can be checked with just one click.
The PRA, which operates under the Government of Punjab, has made the application available through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
PRA is the provincial revenue collection agency created in the wake of the 18th Constitutional Amendment. It was introduced in 2012 through The Punjab Revenue Authority Act 2012.
The PRA is a body corporate and functions under the Punjab Finance Department; the PRA is made up of a Chairperson and members who are appointed by the government.
It is mainly tasked with collecting and administering sales tax on services rendered in Punjab and bringing transparency and correctness in the provincial tax structure.
Practices: Tax collection, enforcement, and taxpayer facilitation. PRA collects sales taxes on services in various sectors like telecom, banks and insurance, hotels and restaurants, courier, advertising, IT, legal, construction, beauty salons and property developers, and the government is examining 19 more sectors to see if they should be taxed.
The solution increased collection by establishing a new digital monitoring cell to check information in the service sector’s database, authorizing the recruitment of 130 new enforcement officers, and launching a Special Unit of tax consultants, legal experts, and data analysts.
The Authority is also rolling out services in 30 districts by October 30, with AD (Additional Deputy Commissioners General) having support roles. During Q1 FY 2025-26, PRA amassed Rs66.41bn, up 28pc year-on-year.
PTA for Taxpayers: PRA operates a portal and a dedicated mobile app where taxpayers can make e-filing, verify NTN or STRN, and check taxpayer records.3.
The Authority also conducts awareness campaigns, seminars, and workshops to educate businesspersons about their responsibilities; a directive from the government is that honest taxpayers should not be harassed and the focus should be on expanding the tax net to new sectors.4.
A recommendation to that effect has been made to merge all provincial tax offices into PRA for greater efficiency. All in all, PRA is Punjab’s apex sales tax on services agency with a special emphasis on tech enforcement, district expansion, and ease of compliance.
