Identification Of Non-filers, Under-filers: Protocols Being Finalised To

ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Dr Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmed Wednesday said the Board is still in the process of finalizing protocols to integrate data between the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) and the FBR with the objective of identifying non-filers and under-filers.

He was talking to a group of reporters after launching the Inland Revenue Strategic Reform Plan for 2021-25 in collaboration with UK-Aid, the ADB, and other donors, here on Wednesday.

The FBR has yet to implement two major initiatives for broadening the tax base including integrating data with the NADRA and second arresting potential tax dodgers despite getting powers through the Finance Act, 2021.

He also informed that the FBR could not move ahead with arresting anyone which was obtained through law in the last budget. He said that the field offices took such steps and in the law of the land such provision existed. However, he admitted that this newly-inducted provision for arresting any potential tax dodgers and tax evaders with the approval of the finance minister and the chairman FBR could not be implemented so far.

The launching ceremony was chaired by Chairman FBR Dr. Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmed. The event was also attended by key officials of international donors including the World Bank, FCDO, the IMF, the Asian Development Bank, and senior leadership of the FBR.

The UK’s High Commission representative, Mahesh Mishra, said on the occasion that the UK government provided technical and financial assistance to help the government to collect additional taxes. He said that the taxation is key as an additional one percent tax collection in the percentage of the GDP materialized three billion pounds which could be utilized to construct more schools, universities, and health centers.