ISLAMABAD, Nov 24: A fast track tax payment and transmission system will be operational from December 1, which will not only overcome procedural pitfalls in tax deposits but also be instrumental in unearthing understatement of income and tax avoidance.

The fast track system, a part of the collection automation project (CAP), in the first phase would be implemented in all 16 branches of State Bank of Pakistan and 510 National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) authorised branches across the country.

Aimed at mitigating the tax deposit-related problems of the taxpayers, the project has been designed in collaboration with SBP and NBP to capture all information on federal taxes deposited in these banks that will be electronically reported to Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on daily bases.

FBR secretary Information Hafeez Mughal said modalities of the system were finalised in a recent meeting held between Chairman FBR Abdullah Yousuf, Governor SBP Dr. Shamshad Akhtar and President NBP S. Ali Raza.

Mr Mughal said major purpose of the CAP project was to fully and accurately record all tax payments and to assign them to the correct taxpayers’ accounts. The project also envisages issuance of computerised payment receipt (CPR) instead of the present manual system of the individual tax challans of the taxpayers.

It is believed that the new system would expand the tax base and would result in development of an accurate and reliable data base on national basis. It would also ensure timely tax credits for taxes withheld under various withholding provisions of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 and expeditious processing of refund claims.

Opinion

Editorial

China security ties
Updated 14 Nov, 2024

China security ties

If China's security concerns aren't addressed satisfactorily, it may affect bilateral ties. CT cooperation should be pursued instead of having foreign forces here.
Steep price
14 Nov, 2024

Steep price

THE Hindu Kush-Himalayan region is in big trouble. A new study unveiled at the ongoing COP29 reveals that if high...
A high-cost plan
14 Nov, 2024

A high-cost plan

THE government has approved an expensive plan for FBR in the hope of tackling its deep-seated inefficiencies. The...
United stance
Updated 13 Nov, 2024

United stance

It would've been better if the OIC-Arab League summit had announced practical measures to punish Israel.
Unscheduled visit
13 Nov, 2024

Unscheduled visit

Unusual IMF visit shows the lender will closely watch implementation of programme goals to prevent it from derailing.
Bara’s businesswomen
13 Nov, 2024

Bara’s businesswomen

Bara’s brave women have proven that with the right support, societal barriers can be overcome.