ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Monday informed Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin that the tax machinery is chalking out new plans to broaden the tax base with the help of Nadra. Sources said that Federal Minister for Finance Shaukat Tarin on Monday visited the FBR's headquarters and chaired a high-level meeting to discuss measures for broadening the tax base. The role of NADRA in expanding the tax net was also discussed.

The meeting was informed that the number of return filers have reached around 3 million against FBR estimates that the number of potential tax dodgers stood at 7 million. According to sources, different options have come under discussion during the meeting keeping in view enforcement measures introduced through Finance Act 2021.

The FBR has obtained under provision of law for arresting wilful defaulters with approval of Parliament through Finance Act 2021. However, the preparatory work was underway especially on account of Inland Revenue Service (IRS) wing of Intelligence and Investigation to identify biggest tax defaulters who could be dealt under provisions of law allowing tax machinery to arrest tax defaulters.

Sources added that the NADRA's data can be utilized to trace out potential tax dodgers and its officials were also present in the said meeting. The finalized proposals would be presented before the Finance Minister for launching the exercise on a national level.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021