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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Customs Valuation Cut Brings Relief to Pakistan’s Used Mobile Phone Market
Pakistan’s used smartphone market is set for a major reset after the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) revised customs valuation rates for imported second-hand mobile phones. The change is expected to lower PTA-related taxes and make smartphones more affordable for a wide segment of the population. The revised valuation list, issued by the Directorate General […]
Rising Fuel Levies Signal Tighter Controls in Pakistan’s Oil Market
Pakistan’s revenue authorities appear to be reaping the benefits of stricter oversight in the petroleum sector, as collections from the Petroleum Development Levy (PDL) reached an impressive Rs828 billion during the first six months of the fiscal year, from July through December. According to official figures, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) recorded a substantial […]
Millions Lost to FBR Lapses: What the Audit Really Reveals
Another troubling chapter in Pakistan’s public finance story came to light this week when an audit exposed serious lapses within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). According to details shared with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), weak enforcement of customs laws and administrative delays cost the national treasury millions of rupees over several years. The […]
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 […]
FTO Explains the Scope of President’s Decision on FBR Case
The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Secretariat has issued a clarification to address confusion surrounding a recent decision by the President of Pakistan related to a representation filed by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The clarification comes after sections of the media reported that the President had overturned or restricted the powers of the FTO […]
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 […]
FBR Tightens Promotion Rules with Mandatory Asset Disclosure
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced a new condition for officers aspiring to move up the career ladder, making asset disclosure a compulsory part of the promotion process. The step is being viewed as an effort to enhance transparency and strengthen accountability within the organization. Under the new directive, officers in Grades 17 […]
FBR Seeks Public Input to Shift Tax Burden Toward Wealthier Segments
As Pakistan begins early preparations for its next federal budget, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has reached out to the business and trade community for suggestions on how to increase tax contributions from wealthier segments of society. In a recent statement, the FBR announced that it has initiated the budget-making process ahead of schedule […]
Dispute Over Section 7E Grows as PTBA Calls Out Uneven Tax Enforcement
The debate over Section 7E of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 has intensified, with the Pakistan Tax Bar Association (PTBA) urging the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to immediately stop what it calls selective enforcement of the law. According to the association, the current approach has created unequal treatment of property owners across different regions […]
Cleaning Up the Skies: FBR’s Push to End Corruption at Airports
Airports are meant to be gateways that reflect a country’s discipline, security, and governance. Yet for years, Pakistan’s airports have also been vulnerable to misuse of authority, particularly through baggage schemes that allow non-duty paid goods to slip through unchecked. The Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) latest crackdown suggests that this long-standing loophole is finally […]
FBR Allowed to Shift Sales Tax Registrations Between Tax Offices
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has clarified that it holds the legal authority to move a taxpayer’s sales tax registration from one tax office to another under Rule 8 of the Sales Tax Rules, 2006, as amended for 2026. This provision is designed to ensure efficient tax administration when businesses relocate or when jurisdictional […]
APTMA Calls for Cotton Monitoring at the Source, Not the Spinning Mills
The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to reconsider its current cotton monitoring strategy, emphasizing that effective oversight must begin at the ginning stage, where raw cotton enters the formal supply chain. According to the association, monitoring spinning mills does little to address the root cause of […]
Are Smartphones Finally Becoming Affordable in Pakistan?
For millions of Pakistanis, owning a decent smartphone has slowly shifted from being a convenience to a financial struggle. Over the years, heavy taxes and duties on mobile phone imports have pushed prices so high that even mid-range devices feel out of reach. Now, there may finally be some relief on the horizon. The Federal […]
FBR Reaches Out to Gujranwala Businesses to Build a Culture of Tax Compliance
In an effort to expand the tax net and strengthen trust between taxpayers and the state, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) held an awareness session at the Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI). The initiative was aligned with the government’s objective of promoting voluntary tax compliance through greater transparency and improved facilitation. 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 […]
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. […]