Draft of scheme released: Small shop owners can opt for fixed tax regime: FBR

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued a simplified 'Small Shopkeepers Scheme', allowing small shop owners to opt for fixed tax regime based on location and size of shop with no audit/examination of such shopkeepers. The FBR has released the draft for Small Shopkeepers Scheme under section 99B of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 for views and comments. Proposals from stakeholders as well as general public are invited for any modification in the aforesaid scheme. After public review, the scheme will be put before the federal cabinet for final approval. It is expected that this reformed simplified procedure will be a new beginning on this subject.
According to the income tax special rules for small shopkeepers issued by the FBR, the "small shopkeeper" means an individual where the business is carried out at a premises having covered area less than 300 square feet but does not include a shopkeeper if he is engaged in the activity of a jeweller, wholesale, warehouse, real estate agent, builder and developer, doctor, lawyer, chartered accountant or any other category specified by the Board, a retailer operating as a unit of a national or international chain of stores, a retailer operating in an air-conditioned shopping mall, plaza or center, a retailer who has a credit or debit card machine, any person whose cumulative electricity bill exceeds Rs 300,000 in the immediately preceding twelve months; and any person covered under section 99C of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.
The tax payable on profits and gains of a shopkeeper on his income chargeable under shall be higher of two percent of 'turnover' as defined in section 113 of the Ordinance; or the amount of tax as set out. Under the scheme, if the shop is located in area specified as category-A and the shop premises in which the business activity is carried out does not exceed 150 square feet, the rate of tax would be Rs 35,000 for tax year 2019 and Rs 40,000 for tax year 2020.
If the shop is located in area specified as category-A and the shop premises in which the business activity is carried out exceeds 150 square feet but does not exceed 300 square feet, the rate of tax would be Rs 40,000 for tax year 2019 and Rs 50,000 for tax year 2020.
If the shop is located at any place other than category-A and the shop premises in which the business activity is carried out does not exceed 150 square feet, the rate of tax would be Rs 20,000 for tax year 2019 and Rs 25,000 for tax year 2020.
If the shop is located at any place other than category-A and the shop premises in which the business activity is carried out exceeds 150 square feet but does not exceed 300 square feet, the rate of tax would be Rs 25,000 for tax year 2019 and Rs 30,000 for tax year 2020.
For the purpose of said taxation, the category-A means an area where value of shop exceeds Rs 10,000 per square foot as per FBR valuation table or DC rate whichever is higher as applicable.
In case if a person opts a fixed tax regime the amount referred, shall be paid in the manner laid down. In other case the tax under rule 3 shall be payable in two equal instalments to the Commissioner in respect of first instalment on or before the 30th day of September; and in respect of second instalment on or before the 31st day of December; provided that for tax year 2019 the shopkeeper shall have the option of paying the tax under rule 3 along with return. Where the person opts to pay tax and furnish return under these rules, there will be no deduction for expense, withholding credit or refund.
Under the Small Shopkeepers Scheme, there shall be no audit or examination of such shopkeeper, unless so specified by the Board. The shopkeeper shall furnish return in Form 'A' specified in Schedule to these rules.
The tax under rule 3 shall be paid in the State Bank of Pakistan, or authorised branches of banks and evidence in the form of a copy of computerised tax payment receipt (CPR) shall be furnished to the Commissioner by the due date as mentioned in rule 4.
On receipt of evidence of payment of tax instalment, the shopkeeper shall be issued a sticker which shall be displayed by the shopkeeper at a prominent place in the business premises. Where these rules apply- (a) the shopkeeper shall not be required to withhold tax from any person as required under the Ordinance; (b) the shopkeeper shall furnish return for the tax year by the due date or extended due date as specified under the Ordinance; (c) the shopkeeper shall not be required to file wealth statement under the provision of subsection (2) of section 116 of the Ordinance for the tax year for which return qualifies under these rules.
Where the shopkeeper has furnished return to the Commissioner under these rules, the Commissioner shall be treated to have made an assessment of the taxable income and tax payable on the tax due thereon for the tax year under the provisions of section 120 of the Ordinance. The return furnished shall be treated to be an assessment order issued by the Commissioner on the day the return was furnished under these rules and provision of section 120 of the Ordinance.
The provisions of these rules shall not apply to the shopkeeper who fails to pay tax instalments under rule 4; who fails to furnish a return for a tax year within the due date as extended period as specified under the Ordinance after having furnished a return once for any tax year under these rules provided that the shopkeeper may opt to furnish return under these rules after two tax years immediately following the tax year he failed to furnish return.
No action against any shopkeeper shall be undertaken unless the matter is taken up with the association of traders concerned after seeking approval from the FBR.
The federal government may, from time to time, by notification in the official Gazette, make amendment in these Rules. The persons convicted under Control of Narcotics Substances Act, 1997 (XXV of 1997), Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 (XXVII of 1997) and Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2010 (VII of 2010) shall not be eligible to qualify under this Schedule, the FBR added.