Key Takeaways
- 10,000 shopkeepers have registered under the Asan Tax Scheme (ATS) in its first month.
- The government aims to bring 3.5 million shopkeepers into the tax net by 2026-27.
- State Minister for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani chaired the meeting to review the scheme's progress.
The government of Pakistan celebrated a significant milestone as 10,000 out of the targeted 3.5 million shopkeepers registered under the Asan Tax Scheme (ATS) in its first month, according to data presented at a meeting chaired by State Minister for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani.
Of the 9,806 traders who joined the tax system, 1,929 were new registrants, while 428 had already filed their tax returns. The registration figures were reviewed at a meeting held on Friday, with representatives of the traders, including Ajmal Baloch and Kashif Chaudhry, in attendance.
The Asan Tax Scheme was introduced specifically for shopkeepers to simplify the tax filing process. According to Kayani, the scheme is not available to other business segments, and he encouraged more traders to register, stating that there is no reason for shopkeepers to remain non-filers.
Kayani directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to address technical issues raised by shopkeepers and lawyers during the implementation of the scheme. He also instructed authorities to issue FBR plates to shopkeepers who had filed their tax returns at the earliest.
The government has set a target of bringing around 3.5 million shopkeepers into the tax net during the fiscal year 2026-27. This target was announced by Finance Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani in June when the simplified tax scheme for small traders was introduced.
Kayani emphasized that the ATS is a facility designed specifically for shopkeepers and is not available to other business segments. He stated that the scheme is aimed at ensuring that all shopkeepers are part of the formal tax system, thereby contributing to the country's economic growth.
The meeting reviewed the progress on the implementation of the ATS and discussed ways to address the challenges faced by shopkeepers in the process. Kayani directed the authorities to work closely with shopkeepers and lawyers to resolve any issues that may arise.
The government's efforts to bring more traders into the tax net are part of a broader initiative to increase tax revenue and improve the overall tax compliance in the country. The Asan Tax Scheme is expected to play a significant role in achieving this goal.
