Islamabad: Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani has announced that the newly operationalized Asaan Tax Scheme aims to streamline tax procedures for traders and shopkeepers while also expanding the national tax base. This statement was made during a meeting in Karachi with representatives from the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as trade and shopkeeper associations from Karachi, Hyderabad, and Sukkur.
According to Radio Pakistan, the Minister of State emphasized that the scheme was introduced in response to requests from the business community. It offers a simplified and user-friendly registration process via an Urdu-language online form. Under this initiative, registered shopkeepers will be subject to a straightforward one-percent tax on their declared annual sales turnover. Additionally, any tax deducted through utility bills will be fully adjustable.
The Minister also disclosed that, following directives from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, senior officials from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) would spend one week every month in Karachi. This initiative is intended to address business-related grievances and provide support to traders across the region.
