Dazed by Panama Papers, taxpayer numbers keep on plummeting in Pakistan
Ratio of taxpayers as per countrys population is barely 0.5pc.
LAHORE (Dunya News)- In a startling development, it has been learnt taxpayers numbers keep on plummeting in Pakistan after release of Panama Papers by International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ).
As per details garnered, only 8 lac taxpayers have filed annual income tax returns thus far despite third extension in deadline by Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). These figures are as much as 40pc less than set target of 1.3 million. Figures for 2017 are also 33pc less when compared with same period of previous financial year.
Analysts believe that trust of taxpayers has been severely dazed by Panama Papers and the perception [misuse of tax money by corrupt leaders] has become sturdier. Analysts further state inappropriate behavior of income tax officials and sudden change of policies by federal govt as causes behind lack of resuscitate of tax culture in Pakistan.
Shedding light on the grave issue, former president of Lahore Tax Bar Association Farhan Shahzad termed current situation disappointing. “Ratio of taxpayers as per country’s population is barely 0.5pc,” he said while adding, “policies of FBR are hurdles”.
Published in Roznama Dunya, November 18th, 2017
