Daily Times

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has kicked off the ‘Tajir Dost Scheme’ to include over 1 million retailers in the tax net. As per details, the registration drive of the Tajir Dost Scheme was launched in six cities — Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Quetta, Lahore and Peshawar.

All non-filers and unregistered traders and shopkeepers would apply for registration under Section 181 of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001.

They would register themselves through Tajir Dost scheme in Tax Asaan App through their mobile phones or FBR’s web portal or by visiting FBR’s tax facilitation centres. Failure in registration would result in the imposition of monetary penalties under section 182 of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001.

The five major categories included wholesalers, dealers, retailers, jewelers and cosmetics stores, grocery, medical and hardware stores as well as shops of meat, vegetables and fruits in selected six cities. The FBR will kick-start registration in Tajir Dost Scheme in four cities — Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Islamabad and Rawalpindi in the first phase and the tax collection will be made effective from July 1.

The notification regarding the mandatory registration of retailers has been issued. Under the scheme, the traders who pay their tax before 15 of every month will get 25pc concession. The traders will be charged tax on the yearly rental value of the shop and every shopkeeper has to at least Rs1200 income tax on yearly basis.