Shopkeepers who do not register under Pakistan’s Easy Tax Scheme or file their tax returns through the regular system may face fines of up to Rs50,000, according to a briefing at a review meeting chaired by Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani on Friday.
Kayani instructed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and other relevant authorities to assist shopkeepers in filing their returns and obtaining FBR plates without unnecessary delays.
According to the meeting, shopkeepers who miss the tax filing deadline will be fined Rs10,000 during the first month, Rs25,000 in the second month and Rs50,000 in the third month.
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The government has provided shopkeepers with two ways to comply with tax requirements. They can either register under the Easy Tax Scheme and pay tax according to their turnover or file their tax returns through the existing system. Those who fail to use either option may be subject to penalties.
The meeting was informed that 9,806 shopkeepers had registered under the Easy Tax Scheme during its first month. Of these, 1,929 were new taxpayers who had not previously been part of the tax system.
So far, 428 registered shopkeepers have submitted their tax returns, while others are still completing different stages of the filing process.
An Urdu language information booklet has also been issued to guide shopkeepers about the Easy Tax Scheme, the existing tax filing process and the penalties that apply after the deadline.
Officials further informed the meeting that shopkeepers from both major cities and smaller cities are taking part in the scheme.