12/06/2024
*SRO 420 of 2024 - Draft Special Procedure for Small Traders and Shopkeepers (Tajir Dost Scheme)*
*Dear Members,*
Draft Special Procedure for Small Traders and Shopkeepers (Tajir Dost Scheme) has been issued by FBR vide SRO 420 of 2023 dated March 21, 2024. A total of seven (07) days have been granted for suggestions before it is finalised.
*Salient Features of the Scheme: *
The scheme will not apply to companies or units of national or international chain stores operating across multiple cities. Certain individuals or classes of persons excluded by the FBR are also not covered under this scheme.
The scheme is scheduled to be implemented from July 01, 2024 and it requires that all traders and shopkeepers apply for registration under Section 181 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, or through designated online platforms such as the Tax Asaan app or the FBR portal, or through FBR’s Tax Facilitation Centers by June 30, 2024.
In cases of failure to apply for registration, the Commissioner is empowered to register them under Section 182 of the Ordinance.
Traders and shopkeepers would be required to pay monthly advance tax as a minimum tax on their income derived from businesses covered under this scheme. The computation of monthly advance tax for a tax year will be prescribed by the FBR.
For those whose computed advance tax is zero, a minimum annual advance tax of Rs 1,200 is mandated, excluding income exempted under any provision of the Ordinance.
The scheme provides for a 25% reduction in payment of advance tax if the remaining advance tax for the relevant Tax Year is paid in a lump sum before the due date or if income tax returns for the tax year 2023 are filed before the due date for the first monthly installment.
Monthly advance tax payments, effective from July 2024 are due on the 15th of every month.
Payments are to be made through a separate computerized payment receipt against the Payment Slip ID (PSID) generated by the ‘Tajir Dost’ module or through FBR’s portal.
The scheme is rolled out for six (06) major cities, consisting of Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Quetta, and Peshawar.