FBR: audit closure, capacity & legality
According to a Press report, the government of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) “has quietly closed over 310,000 tax audit cases that had been automatically selected from 2015 to 2017 due to…
FBR performance under the spotlight
The present team of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) deserves appreciation for showing noteworthy performance during challenging times faced by the economy due to Covid-19 pandemic, complete and partial lockdowns,…
A detailed anatomy of FBR – I
The Prime Minister, Imran Khan, as per media reports, has hinted at dissolving the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) showing extreme displeasure over its poor performance. A new organization may…
Fbr’s circular debt!
The Finance Minister of Pakistan has at last admitted that Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has a debt of Rs 200 billion-refunds blocked to show higher collection aimed at hoodwinking…
FBR: new chairman, old challenges
Of all the federal government institutions, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is, rightly or wrongly, considered as the most incompetent, inefficient and corrupt. Even if it is merely a perception…
Flawed budgetary measures
Pakistan’s prevailing outlook paints a grim picture of a state in deep trouble. In view of perpetual political instability coupled with the economic meltdown, the country has been grappling with…
Foreign-funded tax reforms
Fiscal consolidation should be as growth-friendly as possible. In general, tax base-broadening reforms are identified as growth-oriented reforms. To the extent that they reduce distortions to economic decisions on work,…
Predicate offences
INVESTIGATIONS of predicate offences can be more complex than solving mystery puzzles. Predicate offences are camouflaged in the darkness of a criminal environment. For example, tax evasion can be considered…
A heavy burden
WITH its onerous burden on salaried employees and those already taxed disproportionately while leaving out the mighty untouchables or substantially reducing government expenditure, the federal budget is hyped as an…
Budget tightens the screws on urban middle class
The FY25 budget has been passed, potentially securing next programme from the IMF (International Monetary Fund) and unlocking up to $7.5 billion in external flows. While this is a rare…
