Finance Minister vows to review Tax Law amendment

From Zeeshan Mirza

KARACHI: While assuring the business community of no direct action from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin has promised he will review the tax law amendment and re-examine the terms non-filer and under-filer in consultation with the stakeholders.
In a meeting with a delegation of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Saturday, Mr Tarin said the FBR would share relevant data with chambers and also upload the same on its website.
The government, he said, intends to utilise artificial intelligence and assessment would be done through third parties while an appropriate time of 90 days would be provided to non-taxpayers for settlement.
According to a KCCI press release, the finance minister said he would be visiting the chamber every three months while the FBR chairman would be holding meetings on a monthly basis.
Referring to Businessmen Group chief Zubair Motiwala’s remarks about RLNG price discrimination, Energy Minister Hammad Azhar agreed to supply RLNG at $6.5 per mmBtu to export-oriented industries of Sindh. In this regard, the Ministry of Finance will sanction subsidy and relevant notification will also be issued.
Mr Hammad said a meeting to explore ways and means for smooth supply of gas to industries/consumers in winter season would be convened soon besides directing the SSGCL managing director to address the concerns of the chamber in this regard.