The All Pakistan Power Looms Association (APPLA) has demanded immediate issuance of the notification for zero-rated sales tax on pending cases of registered units and the electricity and gas bills of small textile units be allowed zero-rated sales tax.
In a letter to Central Board of Revenue (CBR) Chairman Abdullah Yusuf, the APPLA desired that the Customs Administrative Reform Project (Care) system be introduced at all the ports.
APPLA's Central President Muhammad Ashfaque said that some positive measures, taken in the 2006-07 budget, had raised some questions, which needed to be answered. He said the limit raised from Rs 100,000 to Rs 150,000 for relief in income tax and the age limit for senior citizens reduced from 65 years to 60 years, required explanation as to when this would be enforced.
Small businesses with less than rupees five million sales should also be allowed sales tax registration and it should be simplified. "Small businesses are faced with difficulties because of rate of tax has been increased from 0.01 percent to 0.02 percent on withdrawals, exceeding Rs 25,000, which should be revised," he said.
He also demanded withdrawal of all the taxes on electricity and gas bills, and added if electricity and gas became cheaper, the cost of production would also come down.