Tax payment system being automatised from today: Hafeez Shaikh

ISLAMABAD (92 News) - Adviser on Finance Hafeez Shaikh has said on Friday that Tax payment system is being automatised from today and all related processes are being computerised as well. The minister said while speaking at a ceremony to release tax directory and hold balloting for audit of the taxpayers in Islamabad on Friday. He also announced that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) took two major decisions for ensuring transparency in the tax system and 10,000 audits this year. "The incumbent government is continuing with reforms in tax system to make it transparent through automation," he said. He maintained that two committees comprising of representatives from both the FBR and business community have been constituted to address complaints against FBR and issue of refunds to facilitate the taxpayers. Hafeez Shaikh said basic objective of tax collection is to provide better basic facilities of life like potable water, health, education, and infrastructure. The adviser also said that the government wants to make tax collection trouble-free for the people, particularly the business community. He said no new tax was imposed on business community in this year's budget. He said subsidies were maintained for industry, particularly the export industry to minimize the cost of doing business. He further said the government refunded 240 billion rupees during the last fiscal year which is double as compared with previous year. He said system of sales tax on exports has also been computerized and refund can be had in 72 hours by filling a form while sitting home. He said the process of refund of income tax is also being made faster. The adviser said that the government's policies are aimed at boosting the exports to earn precious foreign exchange.