The ''Anti-Evasion Cell'' of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has picked five top sectors-cement, sugar, beverages, cigarettes and lubricants-for detailed scrutiny of data to check any kind of evasion of duties and taxes.
Sources told Business Recorder on Saturday that the ''Anti-Evasion Cell'' of FBR has started functioning at the FBR Sales Tax Wing to analyse data on scientific methods to unearth tax evasion in different sectors.
According to sources, the ''Anti-Evasion Cell'' would primarily focus on analysis of past payment history of the units covered under the said five sectors. If there is a persistent trend of decrease in tax payments during the last few years, it would result in thorough investigation of the units. Secondly, the ''Anti-Evasion Cell'' would also analyse whether the input tax credit has been increasing over a period of time? In such cases, detailed security of data would be done to check evasion of sales tax and federal excise duty (FED). The Cell would also examine the industry output in these sectors to check whether production has been increased along with the payment of taxes.
The Cell would also scrutinise information available with the manufacturers of cement, sugar, beverages, cigarettes and lubricants across the country.
At the same time, the sector specialties and experts of the Wing would also check the aspect of smuggling in these sectors. The database of sales tax and customs departments would be thoroughly analysed to check trends in cement, sugar, beverages, cigarettes and lubricants like grease/oil.
The ''Anti-Evasion Cell'' would not limit its activities to these sectors. The scope of the investigation would be extended to other sectors, keeping in view their tax payment trends.
The Cell would also analyse sectors where sales tax or federal excise duty has been fixed for assessment purposes. For example, fixed FED is charged from cement sector. Similarly, assessment value of sales tax has also been fixed on sugar for calculation of sales tax. There is a fixed rate of FED on different brands of cigarettes. Therefore, analysis of cement, sugar, beverages, cigarettes and lubricants might result in some detection to improve overall revenue collection of the FBR.
The newly established ''Cell'' has been given the mandate to keep a close eye on the high-risk sectors. Secondly, it would also help the FBR to improve indirect taxes collection through detection of big evasion cases. It would constantly monitor the data of registered units having abnormal tax profiles. It would collect information about the sectors earning huge profits but paying less in the form of duties and taxes. The Wing would thoroughly use analysis being compiled through research and statistics available with the FBR. Keeping in view more activity on the sales tax side on monthly basis, there is a constant need to regularly monitor the high-risk sectors, sources added.