ISLAMABAD, Aug 31 (APP):The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) collected Rs.593 billion revenues during the first two months of the current fiscal year (2019-20) against the target of Rs.551 billion, showing surplus of Rs42 billion, according to latest figures released by the board here on Monday.
The revenue collection in the first two months of previous year 2019-20 stood at Rs 582 billion, according to the data.
To redress the hardships of the business community caused by COVID-19, refunds to the tune of Rs30.6 billion were disbursed collectively in the first two months of FY-2020, as compared to refunds of Rs11 billion during first two months of FY-2019.
Sales Tax refunds are being issued under centralized and automated system, FASTER, which is clearing refunds to exporters within 72 hours for the first time as committed by the government.
The board has been engaged with trade and industry to mitigate their genuine grievances and resolve their issues. FBR has also launched an unprecedented crackdown on corruption dismissing and suspending 76 officers and officials since July 2020.
In post COVID-19 pandemic scenario, the economic activities are now being revived through multiple economic stimuli and reliefs granted in the budget FY-2020-21.
Hectic efforts were put up by Customs field formations in respect of collection of duty and taxes which was otherwise a daunting task owing to post COVID-19 pandemic economic constraints, Muharram holidays and heavy rainfall in Karachi, which is the epicenter of country’s revenue collection.
This heavy rainfall badly affected the customs clearance of imported cargo during the last week of this month and resultantly had an impact on revenue collection, said FBR statement.
According to the official figure, total customs duty collected during first two months of current FY-2020 stood at Rs92 billion.
The Sales tax collection at import stage is on lower side as compared to the corresponding period of the previous year owing again to heavy rain fall in Karachi. Furthermore, exemption granted in respect of Additional Customs Duty (ACD) on more than 1600 tariff lines in budget FY 2020-21, also subsequently resulted into decrease in sales taxable value.
In line with the vision and directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan to curb the menace of smuggling, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) vigorously launched a countrywide counter-smuggling drive. The FBR accordingly directed its field formations to make all out efforts to intensify anti-smuggling activities.
In pursuance of the aforesaid directions, Pakistan Customs has initiated massive anti-smuggling operations throughout the country and across all terrains that have led to significant seizures of smuggled goods.
During the month of August 2020 alone, Customs seized smuggled goods worth Rs3.95 billion as compared to Rs2.1 billion in August 2019, thus showing an increase of 87.3%.
These seized goods included fabrics, cigarettes, foreign currency, POL products, auto parts, foodstuff, narcotics and other miscellaneous goods, the statement added.
Moreover, mega seizures of luxury vehicles, gold, and betel nuts were also affected during the same period. The Customs formations at Quetta, Peshawar and Multan have seized smuggled goods worth Rs1.6 billion, while most of the remaining goods were at Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad from raids on godowns wherein smuggled goods were stored, according to the statement.