Date for amnesty scheme not to be extended: Finance Minister

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Dr. Shamshad Akhtar on Tuesday said the date for the amnesty scheme would not be extended, and urged the senior FBR officials to keep up efforts for best possible results under the scheme.

She stated this while chairing a high level meeting at the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), said a press release.

The minister also emphasized on effectively utilizing public liaison/advertisement campaign during remainder of the scheme’s validity period to take the scheme to a meaningful and conclusive end.

The minister also on this occasion called upon FBR to come up with measures, particularly those for simplification of filing of returns and automation that can help enhance revenue generation.

She also highlighted the need for installation of quality scanners at all the ports, completely replacing physical checking for customs clearance, a step that she said would help boost revenue.

Members of Tax Reforms Committee and senior officials of the FBR attended the meeting.

Earlier, during the meeting Chairman FBR briefed the minister about the progress of Tax Amnesty Scheme and the current state of revenue generation.

He said moral suasion had been the hallmark of FBR’s drive to encourage people to declare their assets at home and abroad and contribute to the national exchequer.

He said overall there had been positive response to the amnesty scheme and it would have significant bearing on revenue generation.

The chairman shared with the minister details about the task carried out by the Tax Reforms Committee over a period of time, making recommendations and proposals for reformation of the tax regime.

He also apprised her about the working of the High Powered Implementation Committee which has seen to it that recommendations for tax reforms are prioritized in terms of their utility and implemented in letter and spirit.