ISLAMABAD – The proposed draft on fixed tax regime will be finalized afterconsultations with stakeholders and the FBR’s doors are open for businesscommunity to address their grievances.

The draft for Small Shopkeepers Scheme under Section 99B of the Income TaxOrdinance, 2001 has been released for comments. This was stated by FBRChairman Shabbar Zaidi while talking to a delegation led by RawalpindiChamber of Commerce (RCCI) President Malik Shahid Saleem at the FBR HouseIslamabad here Friday. The delegation includes Senior Vice PresidentMuhammad Badar Haroon, Vice President Fayaz Qureshi, Group Leader SohailAltaf, former presidents and member executive committee.

Shabbar said the major aim of this draft was to seek proposals fromstakeholders; chambers, trade associations as well as general public forany modification in the aforesaid scheme. The FBR believes in partnershipwith the business community. Increasing tax base and tax net has been onthe FBR top priority.

With due consultations with traders and business community amendments willbe made to facilitate tax payers and we always welcome recommendations fromthe business community.

During the meeting, detail discussion was made on fixing retail price forauto parts, imposition of sales tax on size of the shop, issues pertainingto furniture industry, withdrawing Paint Industry from Schedule III andproposed scheme for cottage industry. Consultations are being made withjewelers for data collection, taxes and collection of receipts and we arehopeful to finalise amendments at the earliest. He said withoutdocumentation of economy Pakistan can’t move forward.

RCCI President Malik Shahid Saleem, on this occasion, said that traders arenot against the tax collection as we all have a common voice that harassingtraders in the name of collecting taxes must be stopped.

He said Government must adopt a comprehensive strategy in broadening thetax base and tax net rather burdening the existing taxpayers. Traders arefacing multiple challenges on proposed new tax regime and amendments madefor documentation of the economy specially, imposition of sales tax atimport stage, retail price and CNIC condition.

RCCI President demanded that proposed draft on fixed tax regime must befinalized after consultations with business community. “We believe thatevery citizen had to play its role to improve the economic condition of thecountry,” he added. -PR