FBR Wants to Scrap Super Tax Altogether

FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial says the government plans to abolish the Super Tax completely. It is a big relief for the business community.

Rate Already Cut by 2 Percentage Points

Langrial spoke at the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) on Wednesday. He said the Super Tax rate has already dropped by 2 percentage points. The aim is to phase it out step by step.

Industrialists welcomed the news. They have long said the levy adds to the burden on a sector that already pays heavily.

New FBR Office and Wider Help Desk

The FBR will open an office at KATI to help industrialists in the area. Langrial also said the FBR help desk will now cover Sukkur as well as Karachi. Taxpayers outside the provincial capital will find it easier to reach the authority.

Import Rules to Be Simplified

The government will consult industrialists on easier import procedures for industrial raw materials. Langrial promised meetings on the cross-border trade problems facing the leather industry.

For the pharmaceutical sector, the FBR is considering a new model to make the Track and Trace system work better. Langrial asked the business community to help the government fight tax evasion.

Industry Presses for Quicker Refunds

KATI President Sheikh Umer Rehan welcomed the chairman’s monthly visits to Karachi. He also asked for simpler import procedures for raw materials. Billions of rupees in tax refunds are still stuck, he said, and the FBR should pay them within the legal timeframe.

Other Demands from Industrialists

Industrialist leader Zubair Chhaya suggested the FBR name a focal person at KATI. This person would help businesses sort out their tax problems. He also wanted unnecessary Statutory Regulatory Orders (SROs) and current tax laws reviewed to ease the load on businesses.

Industrialists also asked for a one-window system for business needs. They said it would improve coordination with government departments. Finally, they urged the government to widen the tax base. They do not want more pressure on those who already pay.