FBR starts mega survey to broaden tax net

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has initiated mega survey in the city to broaden the tax net, said sources. Under the survey, the business volume and land measurement of private hospitals, schools, colleges, academies, marriage halls and restaurants would be assessed and stern action would be taken against tax evaders.
Sources said the mega survey has been geared up soon after the new government has taken control in Islamabad. It may be noted that the would-be finance minister Asad Umar has hinted at replacing officers on merit against all important public offices including the secretary finance and chairperson FBR. In first phase, he said, eight to 10 top officials would be chosen that would be followed by selection of officers for second and third tier in the FBR.
According to the sources, the new government can also select a competent private sector figure to head the FBR. However, Asad is of the view that merit would be priority of the government while taking an initiative. He is of the view that a right selection of two dozens of officers in the FBR might end up on 90 percent increase in national exchequer. There would be no prize post in future, he made it clear.
It may be noted that sources in the regional officer of FBR have already informed Business Recorder that a set of new proposals has been finalised to present the new finance minister when he will visit the regional office. As per the new proposals, it has been decided to take the FBR offices to the trading hubs like Shah Alam Market and such other places. The step is being proposed to ensure presence of tax offices next to the trading markets in order to facilitate taxpayers.
The FBR sources said the field officers involved in mega survey would assess details like number of wards, private rooms, facilities offered to patients and fee charged against them at private hospitals. Information relating to income and expenditures of these hospitals would be collected to impose taxes on such premises, they added. Similar information would be collected from other areas under mega survey to broaden the tax net and locate tax evaders.