Blocked mobile SIMs of more than 500,000 citizens who did not submit income tax

Islamabad: The Federal Board of Revenue has started regular strict action against tax evaders across the country, under which in the first phase, the mobile phones of 56,671 people who did not file income tax returns despite having taxable income were blocked. are

According to the details, FB Aad issued the Income Tax General Order containing 8,737 pages. Under the Income Tax General Order issued by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Tuesday, strict action has been taken against tax evaders across the country.

According to the declaration, in the first phase of the action, despite having taxable income, the mobile phones of 5 lakh six thousand six hundred and seventy one people who did not submit income tax returns have been blocked. For which FBR has issued Income Tax General Order containing 8,737 pages.

According to sources, the Federal Board of Revenue has identified 2 million tax evaders, but mobile companies requested that they could not afford to block such a large number of SIMs, on which the FBR in the first phase has identified 5 lakh tax evaders. Six thousand six hundred and seventy one sims are in the block.

It should be noted that a few days ago Chairman FBR had approved the blocking of SIM cards of non-filers and the Federal Board of Revenue had sent the rolls to the concerned officers.

Sources say that the FBR has the powers to disconnect the SIM cards of non-filers as well as electricity connections and in this regard special powers have been given to 145 district tax officers in the country.

Action will be taken against non-filers under section 114B, action will also be taken against those who do not submit tax returns. According to FBR sources, the non-filers who have been identified in consultation with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority are those who have not filed their returns despite having taxable income.

FBR will issue Income Tax General Order (IGTO) soon. Federal Board of Revenue had also sent notices to such persons but still they have not submitted their returns, now income tax to block their SIMs. A general order has been issued.

The Income Tax General Order states that those whose mobile phone SIMs have been blocked cannot be restored without the approval of the FBR and concerned Commissioners of Inland Revenue and the SIMs will remain blocked until the FB. R or the concerned Commissioner of Inland Revenue does not approve the renewal of any SIM.

The Income Tax General Order further states that Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and all telecom operators are bound to ensure the implementation of the said Income Tax General Orders issued by FBR and PTA and all telecom Operators will have to implement the Income Tax General Order and block mobile phone numbers and submit a compliance report to FBR by May 15, 2024.