The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has firmly reiterated its commitment to implementing the Tajir Dost Scheme, despite threats of a shutter-down strike by traders.
FBR categorically said to the traders’ community that Tajir Dost Scheme will be implemented at any cost and traders have to be registered and pay their due amount of taxes.
The FBR stated on Tuesday, stating that strikes and shutter-down protests will not deter the implementation of the Tajir Dost Scheme. The announcement came after a meeting at the FBR House, which was notably absent of the traders’ bodies that have called for a strike on Wednesday.
However, pro-government traders’ associations and other representatives from major cities like Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, and Gujranwala participated in the meeting, some via video link.
Naeem Mir, the Chief Coordinator of the Tajir Dost Scheme, informed the media that the FBR is open to amending the scheme based on traders’ recommendations. These amendments aim to address the concerns of the traders’ community, which is planning a strike.
Despite this willingness to negotiate, FBR Chairman has made it clear that the scheme will not be withdrawn, underscoring the necessity for traders to enter the tax net and contribute their fair share to the national treasury.
The FBR has shown flexibility by proposing changes such as shifting from a monthly to a quarterly tax payment system and potentially reducing the tax rate under a revised Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO). Additionally, a simplified tax return form in Urdu is set to be introduced to facilitate compliance.
Mir also mentioned that traders’ committees nationwide will have the autonomy to decide on exemptions, rates, and fixed tax payments based on the size and nature of their businesses. The revised tax rates will be determined collaboratively by Additional Commissioners IR and traders in the field formations.
In light of these concessions, Mir argued that there is no justification for the planned shutter-down strike, given the FBR’s commitment to accommodating the traders’ demands.
