Asan Tax Scheme brings nearly 10,000 shopkeepers into tax net

In the first month since its inception, the Asan Tax Scheme has successfully enrolled nearly 10,000 shopkeepers into the tax system, according to the government. The scheme's Minister of State for Finance and Railways, Bilal Azhar Kayani, convened a review meeting to discuss its implementation and address concerns raised by traders.

At the meeting, it was revealed that 9,806 shopkeepers had registered and were in various stages of filing their tax returns, with 1,929 filing for the first time and 428 having already submitted their returns. Representatives from both small and major cities participated in the scheme. Kayani directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to promptly resolve technical objections from shopkeepers and tax lawyers and instructed authorities to provide FBR plates to those who filed returns.

He emphasized that the Asan Tax Scheme is a unique facility for shopkeepers, urging more to join the program. The meeting also decided to maintain daily communication between traders and FBR officials to strengthen engagement. An Urdu-language information booklet was issued to explain the scheme, its implementation process, and penalties for late tax payments.

Penalties for late payment will increase from Rs10,000 in the first month to Rs50,000 in the third month. Trader leaders confirmed their cooperation and acknowledged the initiative, while acknowledging the need for time to raise awareness. Tax commissioners also discussed their work with tax bars in their regions. Trader leaders Ajmal Baloch, Kashif Chaudhry, Member Strategic Transformation Dr Hamid Atiq, Member Inland Revenue Operations Zubair Bilal, and senior FBR officials attended the meeting, with chief commissioners and commissioners from across the country participating via video link.