The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) decided to postpone blocking non-filers’ utility connections and mobile SIM cards.
According to ProPakistani’s sources, FBR intended to take action against non-filers in accordance with Income Tax Ordinance 2001, Section 114B. The authority to enforce return filing is covered in this section.
The Board may issue an income tax general order under this section, regardless of any other laws currently in effect, for individuals who are not listed as active taxpayers but are still required to file returns in accordance with the Ordinance’s provisions.
For the individuals listed therein, the income tax general order issued pursuant to sub-section (1) may have any or all of the following effects:
(a) turning off mobile phones or SIM cards on mobile phones; (b) cutting off the power or gas supply; or (c) cutting off the gas supply.
Sources, however, indicate that FBR thinks that such strict measures may end up in court and result in legal disputes. Now, the FBR plans to execute these steps following the release of the Active Income Tax List by March 1.
Before severing their connections to utilities and banning their mobile SIM cards, FBR sent its last notifications to non-filers earlier this month.
