FBR Moves to Regulate Social Media Presence of Customs Staff
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has stepped up its oversight of Customs officials’ online activity, warning that the unauthorized use of social media platforms may lead to disciplinary consequences. The move highlights the government’s increasing focus on controlling how public institutions and their representatives operate in the digital sphere. In a recent notification, the […]
FCC Verdict on Super Tax: A Turning Point for Pakistan’s Fiscal Policy
Pakistan’s taxation landscape has reached a decisive moment after the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) upheld the legality of the controversial super tax, ending years of litigation by corporate and business entities. The ruling removes legal uncertainty around Sections 4B and 4C of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, and enables the federal government to unlock more […]
Services Exports Are Quietly Powering Pakistan’s Tax Growth
Pakistan’s services export sector is proving to be more than just a foreign exchange earner — it’s becoming a reliable driver of government revenue. During the first half of fiscal year 2025–26 (1HFY26), the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) recorded a 22 percent increase in overall tax collection, with services exports playing a notable role […]
FTO Introduces Fast-Track System for Small Tax Refunds
Taxpayers awaiting small refunds can expect quicker relief as the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has announced a new policy to ensure small-value tax refunds are released within 8 to 10 days. The move is aimed at improving efficiency, reducing delays, and restoring trust between taxpayers and revenue authorities. The announcement was made by Federal Tax […]
FBR Tightens Grip on E-Commerce Tax Compliance Through IRIS
Pakistan’s e-commerce sector is entering a new phase of tax oversight as the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) introduces stricter reporting and withholding requirements for online sales. Under recent changes announced by FBR, courier companies and online fulfillment partners are now required to submit withholding tax statements directly through the IRIS portal, significantly reshaping how […]
Rethinking Dividend Taxes: Government Reviews Corporate Sector Concerns
Pakistan’s corporate sector may see some relief as the government reviews a proposal to ease the heavy tax burden placed on dividends exchanged within corporate groups. The Tax Policy Office (TPO) of the Ministry of Finance is examining recommendations from the Pakistan Business Council (PBC) that call for ending repeated taxation on inter-corporate dividends (ICDs). […]
Super Tax Case: Court Pushes Hearing to January 26
The ongoing legal battle over Pakistan’s super tax took another turn on Friday as the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) deferred further proceedings until January 26. The decision came after lawyers representing the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) wrapped up their arguments before the bench. A three-member bench, led by Chief Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, is hearing […]
Expanding Track & Trace: FBR’s Next Move Against Tax Evasion
Pakistan’s tax authorities are preparing to take another major step toward controlling tax evasion and illegal trade. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) plans to widen the use of the Track & Trace System (TTS) by introducing it in more industries considered vulnerable to undocumented production and revenue leakage. According to tax reform specialists, the […]
Doctors Push Back Against FBR’s POS System in Clinics
A growing dispute has emerged between doctors and Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) after medical professionals in Rawalpindi firmly rejected the installation of Point of Sale (POS) systems in clinics and hospitals. Doctors argue that the move amounts to unnecessary surveillance and undermines their professional independence. The decision to oppose the FBR directive was […]
PRA Tightens the Net on Persistent Non-Taxpayers
The Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) has launched a renewed drive to bring long-standing non-taxpayers into the formal tax system, signaling a tougher stance on undocumented economic activity within the province’s services sector. Under the latest instructions, all companies providing services in Punjab are now required to register with the PRA, integrate their operations with the […]
Salaried Taxpayers Carry Pakistan’s Tax Burden While Other Sectors Lag Behind
Pakistan’s tax system continues to rely heavily on salaried individuals, once again highlighting deep structural imbalances in revenue collection. Recent figures released by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) show that salaried taxpayers contributed an impressive Rs266 billion in income tax during the first half of the current fiscal year — a figure that far […]
Punjab Revenue Authority Posts 35% Revenue Growth in First Half of FY
The Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) has reported a significant boost in its revenue performance, registering a 35 percent year-on-year increase during the first six months of the ongoing financial year. The strong growth points to the effectiveness of recent administrative reforms and tighter tax enforcement across the province. Revenue Performance Shows Clear Upward Trend Between […]
FBR’s “Inactive” Label for Manual Tax Filers Sparks Legal and Public Backlash
A fresh controversy has emerged around Pakistan’s tax administration after reports surfaced that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has classified manual income tax return filers for Tax Year 2024 as “inactive taxpayers.” The move has drawn strong criticism from tax experts, lawyers, and rights advocates, who argue that it directly violates existing legal directives. […]
Speedy Tax Justice Seen as Key to Economic Stability, Says Chief Justice Afridi
Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi has underlined the urgent need to resolve major tax disputes without further delay, describing prolonged litigation as a growing threat to Pakistan’s economic health. He called for closer cooperation between tax authorities and the judicial system to ensure that cases involving large amounts of public revenue are decided efficiently. […]
A Much-Needed Economic Boost for Gilgit-Baltistan
Gilgit-Baltistan has received a long-awaited economic relief as the federal government has approved duty- and tax-free imports worth up to Rs4 billion annually through the Sost Customs Dry Port. This decision is being seen as a positive step toward easing the high cost of goods and supporting local businesses in the region. The exemption has […]
Digital Transformation at the Heart of FBR’s Reform Vision
Pakistan’s tax system is undergoing a significant shift, and digitalization is at the center of this transformation. Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial has reiterated that technology-driven reforms are no longer optional but essential for building an efficient, transparent, and accountable tax administration. Speaking during a briefing session at the FBR headquarters […]
Why Claiming “I Never Got the Notice” Won’t Protect You from FBR Action
A large number of taxpayers believe that tax proceedings can be avoided simply by ignoring notices from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) or by later claiming that the notice was never received. Pakistan’s tax framework, however, leaves little room for such arguments. The law recognize multiple ways through which tax notices can be validly […]
When Delays Cost Billions: FTO Steps In to Probe FBR’s Legal Lapses
A serious question mark has been raised over how Pakistan’s tax litigation is being handled after the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) ordered an investigation into alleged negligence by officials of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The case highlights how missed deadlines and weak oversight may be quietly draining billions of rupees from the national […]
FBR Responds to Online Claims Over Exporters’ Tax Reviews
Recent discussions on social media have raised concerns among exporters after a letter attributed to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) suggested that income tax returns of exporters would be examined to impose additional taxes. In response, the FBR has issued a formal clarification, stating that such interpretations are incorrect and based on misinformation. The […]
FBR Rethinks Revenue Strategy as It Moves Into Second Half of FY2025–26
With fiscal pressures mounting, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has begun recalibrating its approach to tax collection for the remainder of fiscal year 2025–26. A high-level meeting led by FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial brought together senior leadership from Inland Revenue and Customs to align efforts and refine strategies for the January–June period. The […]