The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has been requested to revise the new automated system for sales tax registration to expedite the process of sales tax registration for new applicants. In a communication with the FBR, Imtiaz Ahmad Khan, former chief executive officer PRAL, referred to the initiative taken by FBR for implementing an automated system of sales tax registration, which is an appreciable move towards facilitation of taxpayers and broadening of tax base.
He said that under the aforementioned automated system, after feeding/uploading particulars to the FBR portal, the applicant will be registered for sales tax instantly. However as per procedure, after this registration, the applicant or an authorised person will need to visit a National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) e-Sahulat Centre within a month for biometric verification. In case of failure to complete biometric verification, the registered person's name shall be taken off the Active Taxpayer List for sales tax.
"Sir you are aware of the fact that in accordance with the directions of State Bank of Pakistan, all account holders have to get their accounts biometrically verified and new bank accounts are not opened without biometric verification. In the light of facts stated above, it is proposed that instead of sending the applicant to Nadra e-Sahulat Centre for biometric verification, the FBR should just obtain an electronic information/confirmation (via API - Application Programming Interface) from the bank or central database of accounts maintained by 1-Link which will not only confirm his biometric verification but will also verify his account title and the operative status," he suggested.
He said that implementation of the aforementioned proposal will not only expedite the process of sales tax registration but will also relieve the taxpayer from the hassle of visiting any other office.