Verification of taxpayers' status: New SMS service for verification introduced

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced new mobile SMS service "9966" for verification of taxpayers' status on Active Taxpayers List for determining filer/non-filer. In this regard, the FBR has written a letter to the Director General Post Office here on Tuesday.
According to the FBR, the Board has recently introduced an SMS service for verification of taxpayers' status on Active Taxpayers list (ATL) to eliminate difficulties faced by taxpayers and respective withholding agents in the remote or far flung areas where difficulties are being faced by them due to insufficient IT facilities and internet services. This verification can be done by simply typing "ATL space 13 digit CNIC. NO" and sending it on 9966 from the mobile phone. This service has started in addition to the ATL list already made available on FBR website. In view thereof, it is requested that the newly introduced facility may be used to determine filer/non-filer status of the taxpayers from the Active Taxpayers List (ATL) wherever IT infrastructure or internet facilities are limited. As per law, no other evidence of being a "Filer" is admissible, FBR added.