Thursday, 28 March 2024
Trending
New Taxes and Tax Exemptions
BUDGET

No new taxes But exemptions will be withdrawn in mini budget, Tarin says

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin on Friday said the government will not impose any new taxes in the upcoming ‘mini budget‘, but it will withdraw some tax exemptions given to various sectors to increase revenue.

Talking to media persons in Karachi, the finance adviser said that as per an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reached in March this year, the government had agreed to generate Rs700 billion in taxes to receive the third tranche under the IMF loan programme.

“When I became the finance minister, I had said we will not increase taxes. We will not allow [the IMF] to impose more taxes on people who are already paying them.”

During the talks, the finance ministry did not agree to more taxation, he said, adding that the government convinced the IMF to bring down the revenue target to about Rs300b.

See also  Pakistan launches National Job Portal

Tarin said the IMF had asked Pakistan regarding the tax exemptions which ‘distorted’ the tax system and added that the fund’s arguments were valid on such exemptions.

The finance adviser said the IMF asked Pakistan to give ‘targetted subsidies’ with an across-the-board sales tax rate of 17 per cent. “They say, ‘you [Pakistan] have imposed 17 per cent sales tax on some [sectors], zero on some and 10pc on some’.”

He also questioned the gas subsidy to the fertilizer industry that amounted to Rs150 billion and said the government did not impose taxes on the sector either, questioning if the move was benefiting the farmers as well?

The government will provide direct subsidies to farmers through the Ehsaas database, he said hinting at an end to subsidies for the fertiliser sector.

Tarin had said once all the conditions were met, the IMF board would meet in January to approve the sixth review of the economy.

See also  HEC announces Scholarship Programme 2021 for Bachelors, One-Tier Masters, Masters and PhD studies

“The Pakistani authorities and IMF staff have reached a staff-level agreement on policies and reforms needed to complete the 6th review under the EFF,” the IMF statement had said.

tax accounting services top tax consultants lahore pakistan
Ads:
Tax.net.pk - Your Tax Experts and Consultants

Welcome to Tax.net.pk

Providing Expert Tax Services for Individuals and Businesses

About Us

At Tax.net.pk, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive tax solutions tailored to meet the needs of individuals and businesses. With years of experience in the industry, our team of tax experts is equipped to handle various tax matters, including tax planning, preparation of tax returns, and compliance.

We strive to stay up-to-date with the latest tax laws and regulations, ensuring that our clients receive accurate and reliable advice. Our commitment to client satisfaction and our in-depth knowledge of the tax landscape make us the trusted choice for all your tax-related needs.

Contact Us

For inquiries or to schedule a consultation, please reach out to us: