Asan Tax Scheme brings nearly 10,000 shopkeepers into tax net
- 1,929 of those are first-time taxpayers
The Asan Tax Scheme has enrolled nearly 10,000 shopkeepers within a month, with the government addressing implementation concerns and urging more participation in this unique tax facility.
- Enrollment figures for the Asan Tax Scheme.
- Government directives to resolve scheme implementation issues.
- Penalties for non-compliance under the new tax scheme.
Nearly 10,000 shopkeepers have joined the tax net under the Asan Tax Scheme within a month of its launch, the government said on Friday.
Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani chaired a review meeting on the scheme, where officials briefed participants on its implementation and trader representatives raised concerns regarding the process.
According to the briefing, 9,806 shopkeepers have registered under the scheme and are at various stages of filing their tax returns. Of these, 1,929 are entering the tax system for the first time, while 428 have already filed their returns.
Officials said shopkeepers from both small and major cities were among those who had filed returns.
Kayani directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to immediately resolve technical objections raised by shopkeepers and tax lawyers regarding implementation of the scheme.
He also instructed authorities to issue FBR plates to shopkeepers who have filed their returns at the earliest.
“The Asan Tax Scheme is a unique facility designed specifically for shopkeepers and not available to any other business segment,” Kayani said.
He urged more shopkeepers to join the scheme, saying there was no reason for them to remain non-filers following its launch.
The meeting decided to maintain daily contact between traders and FBR officials to facilitate implementation and further strengthen engagement with tax bars and lawyers.
Officials also briefed the meeting that an Urdu-language information booklet had been issued to explain the Asan Tax Scheme, the previous procedure for filing returns and penalties applicable after the deadline.
Under the scheme, penalties will be imposed on those who fail to pay taxes after the deadline. A penalty of Rs10,000 will apply in the first month after the deadline, Rs25,000 in the second month and Rs50,000 in the third month.
Trader representatives assured the meeting of their cooperation, describing the scheme as a positive initiative while noting that creating awareness among shopkeepers would take time.
Tax commissioners also briefed participants on their engagement with tax bars in their respective areas.
Trader leaders Ajmal Baloch and Kashif Chaudhry, Member Strategic Transformation Dr Hamid Atiq, Member Inland Revenue Operations Zubair Bilal and senior FBR officials attended the meeting. Chief commissioners and commissioners from across the country participated via video link.