The government is poised to take stringent measures against non-filers by blocking their bank accounts and has also introduced a fixed sales tax on imported mobile phones, replacing the current 18 percent sales tax under the amended Finance Bill 2024.
According to sources from ProPakistani, the initial proposal to freeze bank accounts of non-filers was included in the original Finance Bill 2024, but it wasn’t passed. Now, the government is considering reinstating this measure.
Under this proposal, if non-filers fail to respond to notices, their bank accounts may be blocked until they register as filers and appear on the Active Taxpayers List (ATL). Non-filers would still be allowed to deposit funds, but withdrawals would be prohibited until their status is updated on the ATL.
Should this proposal be incorporated into the amended Finance Bill 2024, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) would issue an income tax general order (ITGO) identifying non-filers whose accounts should be frozen.
Additionally, the amended Finance Bill 2024 proposes a change to the sales tax on imported mobile phones. Instead of the blanket 18 percent sales tax, a fixed amount will be applied based on the brand of the imported mobile phone.
These amendments aim to enhance tax compliance and streamline the taxation process for imported mobile devices, reflecting the government’s broader strategy to increase fiscal responsibility and efficiency.
