Nearly 9,800 shopkeepers join Asaan Tax Scheme within month
Nearly 9,800 shopkeepers have joined the government’s Asaan Tax Scheme within a month of its launch, while 1,929 traders who were previously outside the tax system have registered under the initiative, officials said during a review meeting.
The meeting, chaired by Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, was informed that 9,806 shopkeepers were currently at different stages of filing their tax returns under the scheme.
Officials said 1,929 of them were newly registered taxpayers who had not previously been part of the tax system. They expressed hope that the newly registered shopkeepers would submit their returns soon.
So far, 428 shopkeepers have completed and submitted their returns under the Asaan Tax Scheme.
The meeting was informed that shopkeepers from both small and large cities were using the scheme.
Kayani directed Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL) and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to immediately address technical issues raised by shopkeepers and lawyers regarding implementation of the scheme.
He also directed officials to provide FBR plates to shopkeepers who have filed their returns as soon as possible.
Kayani said the Asaan Tax Scheme was a special initiative designed specifically for shopkeepers and was not available to other business sectors.
He expressed hope that more shopkeepers would join the scheme, saying its introduction had removed obstacles preventing traders from becoming tax filers.
The meeting decided that traders and FBR officials should maintain daily communication to address implementation issues. It also agreed to strengthen coordination with tax bars and lawyers.
Trader representatives assured the government of their cooperation with the FBR’s initiatives, while tax commissioners briefed participants on their engagement with tax bars in their respective jurisdictions.
Officials said an Urdu-language informational booklet had also been issued to explain the Asaan Tax Scheme.
The booklet provides details of the new scheme as well as the existing return-filing procedure and explains penalties applicable after the filing deadline.
Under the scheme, shopkeepers filing returns after the deadline will face a penalty of Rs10,000 during the first month of delay, Rs25,000 during the second month and Rs50,000 during the third month.
Officials said penalties would be imposed after the tax-filing deadline on those failing to submit returns, whether under the Asaan Tax Scheme or through the standard filing procedure.
Trader leaders described the scheme as a positive initiative but said greater awareness among shopkeepers would take time.
Trader leaders Ajmal Baloch and Kashif Chaudhry attended the meeting.
FBR Member Strategic Transformation Dr Hamid Atiq, Member Inland Revenue Operations Zubair Bilal, senior FBR officials, and chief commissioners and commissioners from across the country participated through video link.