ISLAMABAD: Despite all kinds of Strategic Transformation, automation, digitization, and computerised refund systems, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has paid only 2.2 percent more refunds to the business community including exporters during 2024-25 as compared to 2023-24.
According to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) data for 2024-25, the payment of refunds increased by merely 2.2 percent in 2024-25 when compared with same period of 2023-25.
The FBR had created 25 posts of ‘Commissioner Refund’ in the field formations for speedy processing of refund cases from July 1, 2024. The data further revealed that the direct taxes collection increased by 27.8 percent or Rs1,260.9 billion during 2024-25 against corresponding period of 2023-24.
Direct Taxes collection during second half (July-June) of 2024-25 witnessed an increase of 26.3 percent.
Overall Sales Tax collection increased by 26.4 percent or Rs814.5 billion during whole fiscal year of 2024-25 against 2023-24.
Local sales tax collection: 15 sectors make major contribution
Domestic sales tax collection increased by 32.4 percent and Sales Tax from imports increased by 22.4 percent during this period.
During second half (July-June) of 2024-25, sales tax collection increased by 27.5 percent. While Sales Tax (domestic) increased by 26.7 percent and Sales Tax (imports) increased by 28.0 percent during this period.
In 2024-25, the Federal Excise Duty (FED) collection increased by 32.8 percent or Rs189.2 billion over the corresponding period of 2023-24. During second half (July-June) of 2024-25, the FED collection increased by 34.3 over the corresponding period of 2023-24.
The Customs Duty collection increased by 16.4 percent or Rs180.5 billion in 2024-25 as compared to same period of 2023-24, during second half (July-June) of 2024-25, Customs Duty collection increased by 21.7 percent over the corresponding period of previous fiscal year.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025