The current caretaker government is contemplating the implementation of anordinance aimed at compelling all federal and provincial institutions anddepartments to regularly synchronize their data. The objective behind thisinitiative is to identify potential new and under-filers within the taxsystem.
However, the government’s recent discovery highlights a significant issue:approximately 126 departments and institutions at both federal andprovincial levels have not been sharing their data with the Federal Boardof Revenue (FBR) in the desired format. This lack of data sharing poses asubstantial challenge in converting this information into taxable assets.
In pursuit of a broader tax base and the comprehensive capture of financialtransactions, the government is evaluating the possibility of enacting thisordinance. The FBR has identified those departments that have beenirregular in their data sharing practices, prompting the need for aPresidential Ordinance to mandate data sharing across all departments.
The caretaker government, it seems, is maintaining a cautious approach toavoid stirring controversy around this issue.
Read Top Stories
To facilitate this data integration effort, the Ministry of InformationTechnology will collaborate with the FBR in developing an integrated dataportal, connecting it with various other departments.
However, it’s worth noting that the FBR will encounter a formidablechallenge in converting this data into taxable assets, as past endeavors inthis regard have proven futile. Caretaker Minister for Finance, Dr.Shamshad Akhtar, has directed the FBR to intensify its efforts in expandingthe tax base, emphasizing field visits over relying solely on office-basedcorrespondence, as reported by an official present at the meeting.
