The seventh meeting of Tax Reforms Core Group (TRCG) directed Member (IR) to ensure that notices to the remaining 300,000 non-tax filers be issued on priority. TRCG meeting was held at FBR Headquarters under the chairmanship of federal minister for finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh and the progress of broadening of tax base was discussed along with review of progress on the 295,000 notices issued to non-filers.
The meeting discussed the progress due to reorganisation of FBR, finalisation of administrative-measures agreed with World Bank in April 2011, centralised audit, revenue collection of FBR as well as expanding the outreach programme. The meeting included an update on redrafting the treatment of five zero-rated export sectors, tax incentivisation scheme as well as proposals of stamps on cigarette packs to help identify smuggled or non-excise paid cigarette packs and enforcement of Capital Gains Tax.
Finance minister reviewed the revenue performance of FBR and desired that a follow-up meeting of TRCG be held after two weeks to have a complete analysis of the taxpayers’ data and to discuss strategy to pursue the non-taxpayers. Member (TRCG), Muhammad Ali, would also give a presentation on Capital Gains Tax (CGT) in the follow up meeting along with relevant data and strategy for enforcement of CGT based on meetings with Member (IR).
Policy Wing of FBR was asked to give a breakup of revenue based analysis of the amount of revenue generated due to exclusive efforts of FBR, and those due to policy decisions and due to exchange rate difference. Expected revenue collection during the period between January and June 2012 was also reviewed. Minister for finance desired that in the next meeting, the preliminary budget proposals and efficiency enhancement measures would also be taken up for discussion.
Earlier Member IR Shahid Hussain Asad, Member (Customs) Mumtaz Haider Rizvi, DG (SP&R) Dr Amna Khalifa gave presentations on performance and revenue targets of FBR while Member (FATE) Riffat Shaheen Qazi , gave a presentation on outreach and awareness programmes with the way forward strategy for expanding the outreach programmes. Proposals were also put forward by members of TRCG on various policy issues.
Federal minister for finance, at the close of meeting, appreciated efforts of FBR officers and expressed confidence and hope that the assigned budget targets would be achieved through sustained efforts. The meeting was attended by Chairman FBR Salman Siddique, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Nadeem ul Haq, Members (TRCG) Abdullah Yusuf, Habib Fakhruddin, Arshad Zuberi, Bashir Ali Mohammad, Ali Jameel, Muhammad Arshad Chaudhry, Ashfaq Tola, Chairman SECP Muhammad Ali, along with the core team members of FBR, Mumtaz Haider Rizvi, Member (Customs), Hafiz Muhammad Anees, Member (Taxpayers Audit), Riffat Shaheen Qazi, Member (FATE), Shahid Hussain Asad, Member (IR), Sardar Amimullah Khan, Member (Enf. & Acctt), Imtiaz Ahmad Khan, GM PRAL, Dr Amna Khalifa DG (SP&R) and Dr Khaqan Hassan Najeeb DG (ERU), finance division.