FBR warns non-filers of suspension of bank accounts

Islamabad: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) issues stern warnings to non-filers, highlighting potential fines, utility disconnections, and bank account suspensions.

In more severe cases, non-filers may even encounter travel restrictions at airports and on motorways.

To avoid these consequences, the FBR is urging non-filers to promptly visit the nearest tax office for registration. Recent reports indicate that the FBR has initiated an extensive survey of business and commercial entities nationwide to identify those who have not filed their taxes.

Despite Pakistan's population exceeding 240 million, the tax base is limited, encompassing only around 5.2 million individuals.

The widespread prevalence of tax evasion and a low tax-to-GDP ratio pose significant challenges for the nation.

In response, the FBR has launched a nationwide campaign to broaden the tax base. This initiative targets all eligible individuals and those with taxable income, urging them to register with the tax system and submit their returns.

The FBR has already collected data on hundreds of thousands of financial transactions involving individuals still operating outside the tax net.

With the goal of adding 1.5 million new taxpayers to the existing list, the FBR is implementing stringent measures to improve tax compliance and boost revenue generation.