KARACHI: Tax collection is gaining importance in resource generation mechanism which necessitates the need for computerisation and automation of provincial tax collection system to enhance revenue collection.
Adviser to Sindh Chief Minister on Finance and Energy Murad Ali Shah stated while speaking at the “Taxation Forum” held here. The event was organised by the Sindh Finance Department in collaboration with the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) which was attended by government officials, students, tax professionals and others.
He said that the provincial government was targeting revenue generation through Sindh Revenue Board (SRB), Excise and Taxation Department and other relevant departments, adding that the SRB had been gradually increasing revenue targets since its inception.
He claimed that Sindh would increase its tax collection up to Rs200 billion per annum in next three years “So far, SRB has collected Rs 101 billion since the year 2010-2011,” he informed the participants.
World Bank (WB) representative Shershah Khan said that Sindh had set a new benchmark in collection of tax on services. “SRB has emerged as a trend-setter for other provinces,” he said, adding that the challenge for Sindh was to maintain its performance in tax collection on services.
IBA representative Qazi Mansoor said that IBA could provide academic support to government in its endeavour to enhancing revenue receipts.
SRB Chairman Tashfeen K Niaz informed the participants that SRB had emerged as largest tax collection authority, adding that it had so far collected Rs101 billion during last two and half years. No human interaction is involved in the system which has made the system transparent, he said; adding that concept of SRB is to be more a tax advisor than tax collector.
