Aurangzeb says ‘no logic’ behind complicated salaried tax return form

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb emphasized on Wednesday the need for a simplified tax return form for salaried taxpayers, asserting that there is "no logic" behind the current lengthy and complicated process. This call came during the launch of a mobile app for the Fixed Tax Asaan Scheme, aimed at enabling small traders and shopkeepers to register and file returns digitally.

Accompanied by Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar, FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial, and traders, Aurangzeb noted that around 70% of salaried income is directly deposited into bank accounts after tax deductions, making the current filing process unnecessary for most. The newly launched "Asaan Tajir" app, available in Urdu on Google Play Store as "Asaan Tajir," generates a payment slip identification number (PSID) for tax payments and notifies users of their registration and tax filer status.

Other languages, including Pashto, Balochi, and Sindhi, will be added by early September. Traders can seek assistance at designated focal offices and Regional Tax Offices. Upon registration by the tax-filing deadline, traders will receive a green identification plate at no cost, with a maximum eventual cost of Rs1,500. FBR Chairman Langrial expressed hope for strong registration and revenue collection, stating that no FBR officer would enter the shop of a bona fide registered shopkeeper without this plate.

Pakistan has formally requested a US Exchange Stabilisation Support Facility to strengthen the rupee, stabilize foreign exchange reserves, and reduce reliance on repeated loan rollovers. The US is reportedly seeking a $10 billion facility, which is aimed at signaling confidence in Pakistan's currency and external-sector stability rather than as a conventional loan.

The government is also working on extending maturity periods for existing bilateral loans to 10 years.