FBR To Broaden Pakistan's Tax Base

by Mary Swire, Tax-News.com, Hong Kong

13 April 2009

The Chairman of Pakistan's Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Mr Ahmad Waqar, has announced that the FBR is striving to provide a greater fiscal space to the government by improving the tax-to-GDP ratio and broadening the country's tax base.

Mr Waqar was addressing participants of the 90th National Management Course during their visit to the FBR House on April 9.

He explained that the FBR had taken various steps in recent years as part of a reform process to change its image and perception, broaden the tax base, rationalize tax/tariff rates, improve resource mobilization efforts, encourage voluntary compliance, simplify tax laws and procedures, facilitate businesses and improve efficiency, integrity and transparency.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Irfan Nadeem, a member of the country's Inland Revenue Service, said the FBR was committed to enhancing the capability of the tax system to collect due taxes through the application of modern techniques, providing taxpayer assistance and by creating a motivated, satisfied, dedicated and professional workforce.

He also briefed the participants on the functioning of the FBR and highlighted the success of the ongoing reforms programme in achieving a greater autonomy and reorganization of the FBR and its field offices on functional lines, integration of domestic taxes management, separate handling of large taxpayers, introduction of one-stop shop operation, improvement in physical infrastructure and compensation to employees.

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