Bilal briefs business community on operationalization of “Asaan Tax Scheme” at KCCI

ISLAMABAD, Aug 29 (APP):Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani here on Saturday visited the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) for an extensive meeting with representatives of the trading and industrial community.

The meeting was attended by representatives of trade and shopkeeper associations from across Karachi, Hyderabad, and Sukkur, and focused on a comprehensive briefing regarding the newly operationalized “Asaan Tax Scheme” and its mobile application.

Minister Kayani highlighted that the scheme was introduced on the direct demand of traders and shopkeepers to simplify tax processes while expanding the national tax net, said a press release issued here on Saturday.

To ensure seamless execution, focal persons from the FBR and trade representatives have been designated across various regions of the country.

The initiative introduces a simplified, user-friendly registration process featuring an Urdu-language form that shopkeepers can easily submit online.

Under the scheme, shopkeepers will pay a streamlined one-percent tax on their declared annual sales turnover, with taxes deducted through utility bills being fully adjustable.

Enrolled retailers will receive a green registration plate from the FBR; displaying the green plate will ensure that FBR personnel do not visit the shop for routine questioning. Furthermore, participating shopkeepers will generally be exempt from audits, will not be required to install Point of Sale (POS) machines, and will not need to act as withholding agents.

To further support the business community, Minister Kayani announced that, under the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, senior FBR officials will spend one week every month in Karachi to resolve commercial grievances on the spot and provide immediate facilitation to the business community.

This initiative was launched in August and will continue on a systematic basis to ensure immediate relief for traders. Representatives of local trade organizations and the KCCI commended Minister Kayani for his continuous engagement and appreciated Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s continued efforts to address the challenges facing the business sector.