The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has decided to monitor business activities online across the country and has issued orders to ensure the installation of Point of Sale (POS) systems for more than 14 categories of businesses.
According to a notification issued on Thursday, POS systems will be made mandatory for hotels, restaurants, guest houses, marriage halls, marquees and race clubs. However, facilities without air conditioning will be exempted from the POS requirement.
The FBR has also ordered installation of POS systems for vehicles operating within cities, as well as for courier and cargo services. Online registration of beauty parlours, massage centres and pedicure centres has also been decided.
Under the new measures, POS installation has been ordered for dentists, physiotherapists, plastic and hair surgeons and veterinary doctors. Medical laboratories and diagnostic facilities including X-ray, CT and MRI scan centres will also be required to comply with the directive.
Private hospitals will also be brought under the POS system, although those charging a fee of up to Rs500 will be exempted. Similarly, POS installation will be mandatory at health clubs, gyms, swimming pools and multi-purpose clubs.
The decision will also apply to elite clubs including Lahore Gymkhana, Islamabad Club, Karachi Gymkhana, Royal Palm Golf and Country Club and Chenab Club, as well as civil and non-civil polo clubs.
Furthermore, POS systems will be mandatory for chartered accountants and cost management accountants. Online integration has also been made compulsory for retailers, manufacturers and importers, along with foreign exchange dealers and currency exchange companies.
Private educational institutions including schools, colleges, universities and vocational training institutes will also be required to install POS systems. However, institutions charging a monthly fee of up to Rs1,000 will be exempted.
The FBR has invited stakeholders to submit recommendations on the proposed law within seven days.