Minister for State on Revenue Hammad Azhar said Wednesday that the government would not extend the last date of amnesty scheme i.e. June 30, 2019 due to international obligations. He informed the Senate Standing Committee on Finance, "We have international obligations and will not be able to extend the tax amnesty scheme beyond June 30, 2019." The Assets Declaration Ordinance 2019 has been laid down in the Senate and it has been made part of the Finance Bill 2019. After passage of the Bill, it would be part of the Finance Act 2019.

The FBR officials informed that from July 1, 2019, the FBR will launch action against 50 biggest defaulters/tax evaders in 10 major cities. Under the drive, the action would be initiated against five big defaulters/evaders from each big city.

To a query of a builder association for waiver of penalty/surcharge on late filing of returns, Hammad Azhar said that the waiver of penalty/surcharge would not be applicable for late filers. The Senate Committee accepted the recommendation that the advance tax being collected from the subscribers of mobile phones should be withdrawn.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019