The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has taken a significant step to enforce tax compliance by blocking the mobile phone SIMs of over 500,000 individuals.
This action targets those who are not registered taxpayers but meet the criteria to file an income tax return for the 2023 tax year. The FBR identified 506,671 such individuals and issued an Income Tax General Order (ITGO) to disable their mobile phone SIMs.
According to the FBR order, these blocked SIMs will remain inactive until the individuals fulfill their tax obligations. They can achieve this by filing a complete and accurate income tax return for 2023. The FBR or the relevant Commissioner Inland Revenue will then authorize the restoration of their mobile phone services.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and all telecom operators in Pakistan are required to comply with this directive immediately. A compliance report outlining the actions taken will be submitted to the FBR by May 15, 2024.
In a social media post, the FBR urged individuals affected by this measure to address their tax responsibilities promptly. Filing an accurate income tax return for 2023 will ensure the swift restoration of their mobile phone services.
This crackdown on non-filers highlights the FBR’s commitment to improving tax collection and promoting a more equitable tax system in Pakistan.
