FBR launches ''List of Active Taxpayers''

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Thursday launched a new scheme, called ''List of Active Taxpayers'' to facilitate the compliant taxpayers by providing them a number of incentives. Sources told Business Recorder that the scheme previously named as, "List of White Taxpayers", has been launched at the FBR e-portal having complete database of registered businessmen, importers/exporters and other categories of compliant taxpayers.
The data has been uploaded and is ready for use by taxpayers. To find whether name of the registered person has been included in the "List of Active Taxpayers", the person has to mention his National Tax Number (NTN), computerised national identity card number (CNIC) or Sales Tax Registration Number (STRN) at the FBR e-portal.
The link would be used by the taxpayers to search for his name in the "List of Active Taxpayers". The system would spontaneously tell the taxpayers about their compliance level in the form of a graph as well as number of returns being filed by the taxpayers during the last tax period.
According to the parameters for becoming eligible for "List of Active Taxpayers", initially all those taxpayers who have electronically filed at least four sales tax returns out of six during the last six tax period would be covered under new scheme. It is a starting criteria, which would ensure brining maximum taxpayers into the "List of Active Taxpayers".
The new scheme says, always purchase from active taxpayers, because in near future only active taxpayers will be allowed to import and export. Sales Tax Input Credit/Adjustment allowed, only if purchases are made from Active Taxpayers. Expenses for income tax will only be admissible if purchases are made from active taxpayers.
Only active taxpayers will be able to participate in the Procurement Tenders and only such taxpayers will be able to operate as clearing agent, shipping agent, etc. Moreover, only active taxpayers will be able to serve as consultant, advisor, etc. The FBR further announced, "Becoming active taxpayer is very easy, you have to be consistently compliant in regularly filing income tax returns, sales tax and federal excise returns, withholding tax statements. Taxpayers should timely pay taxes and respond to the legal notices without delay to become active taxpayers."