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Commercial importers of Part-II goods face a 3.5% withholding tax if they are Filers, but the rate doubles to 7% for Non-Filers. • Selling rice, cotton seed, or edible oils comes with a low 1.5% tax for Filers, but a 3% tax for Non-Filers. • Dividends from Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and general companies cost Active Filers 15% in tax, but Non-Filers lose a massive 30%. • Commercial importers bringing in Part-III items are hit with a 12% tax rate if they are Non-Filers, compared to only 6% for Active Filers. • If you receive dividends from Independent Power Purchasers (IPPs), Filers pay a 7.5% tax while Non-Filers surrender 15%. • The withholding tax on banking and financial institution profits is set at 20% for those on the Active Taxpayers’ List, but jumps to 40% for those off the list. • Buyers of 1301cc to 1600cc cars pay a 2% advance tax if they are Filers, but Non-Filers pay exactly triple at 6%. • Profits on debt from mutual funds deriving 50% or more income from debt carry a huge 50% tax for Non-Filers, compared to 25% for Filers. • Active Filers importing CKD kits for Electric Vehicles pay a minimal 1% tax, whereas Non-Filers pay double at 2%. • Pensions under 10 million rupees remain 100% tax-exempt for everyone, no matter what your filing status is. • Companies generating rental income from immovable property pay a 15% tax if they are Active Filers, but face a 30% rate as Non-Filers. • Winning a raffle, lottery, or sales promotion prize costs Non-Filers a whopping 40% in tax, compared to 20% for Filers. • Registering a 1000cc motor vehicle costs Filers just 1% in tax, while Non-Filers are penalized with a 3% tax. • Payments to electronic and print media for advertising services are taxed at just 1.5% for Active Taxpayers, compared to 3% for Non-Filers. • Cash withdrawals by a person whose name does not appear on the Active Taxpayers’ List are hit with an automatic 0.8% advance tax. • Purchasing a 1601cc to 1800cc vehicle will cost Non-Filers a 9% tax, which is three times the 3% rate given to Active Filers. • Importing basic goods from Part-I of the Twelfth Schedule costs Active Taxpayers just 1% in tax, while Non-Filers have to pay 2%. • Salaries under Rs. 600,000 are completely tax-free, maintaining a 0% rate regardless of your taxpayer status. • Winning a prize bond or crossword puzzle means you lose 15% to taxes as an Active Filer, but a massive 30% if you are a Non-Filer. • The sale of petroleum products is taxed at 12% for Filers and exactly double that at 24% for Non-Filers. • Importing pharmaceutical products carries an 8% tax for Non-Filers, which is exactly double the 4% rate applied to Active Taxpayers. • Registering a 2001cc to 2500cc luxury vehicle incurs a 7% tax for Active Filers, but a staggering 21% tax for Non-Filers. • Payments made to non-resident sportspersons incur a 15% tax if they are on the ATL, and a massive 30% if they are non-ATL. • Buying a high-end 2501cc to 3000cc vehicle leaves Filers with a 9% tax bill, but absolutely punishes Non-Filers with a massive 27% tax rate. • Capital gains arising on the disposal of certain debt securities are taxed at 15% for Filers, but double to 30% for Non-Filers. • Providing IT and IT-enabled services costs Active Taxpayers just 4% in withholding tax, while Non-Filers must pay 8%. • Commercial importers of Part-II goods face a 3.5% withholding tax if they are Filers, but the rate doubles to 7% for Non-Filers. • Selling rice, cotton seed, or edible oils comes with a low 1.5% tax for Filers, but a 3% tax for Non-Filers. • Dividends from Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and general companies cost Active Filers 15% in tax, but Non-Filers lose a massive 30%. • Commercial importers bringing in Part-III items are hit with a 12% tax rate if they are Non-Filers, compared to only 6% for Active Filers. • If you receive dividends from Independent Power Purchasers (IPPs), Filers pay a 7.5% tax while Non-Filers surrender 15%. • The withholding tax on banking and financial institution profits is set at 20% for those on the Active Taxpayers’ List, but jumps to 40% for those off the list. • Buyers of 1301cc to 1600cc cars pay a 2% advance tax if they are Filers, but Non-Filers pay exactly triple at 6%. • Profits on debt from mutual funds deriving 50% or more income from debt carry a huge 50% tax for Non-Filers, compared to 25% for Filers. • Active Filers importing CKD kits for Electric Vehicles pay a minimal 1% tax, whereas Non-Filers pay double at 2%. • Pensions under 10 million rupees remain 100% tax-exempt for everyone, no matter what your filing status is. • Companies generating rental income from immovable property pay a 15% tax if they are Active Filers, but face a 30% rate as Non-Filers. • Winning a raffle, lottery, or sales promotion prize costs Non-Filers a whopping 40% in tax, compared to 20% for Filers. • Registering a 1000cc motor vehicle costs Filers just 1% in tax, while Non-Filers are penalized with a 3% tax. • Payments to electronic and print media for advertising services are taxed at just 1.5% for Active Taxpayers, compared to 3% for Non-Filers. • Cash withdrawals by a person whose name does not appear on the Active Taxpayers’ List are hit with an automatic 0.8% advance tax. • Purchasing a 1601cc to 1800cc vehicle will cost Non-Filers a 9% tax, which is three times the 3% rate given to Active Filers. • Importing basic goods from Part-I of the Twelfth Schedule costs Active Taxpayers just 1% in tax, while Non-Filers have to pay 2%. • Salaries under Rs. 600,000 are completely tax-free, maintaining a 0% rate regardless of your taxpayer status. • Winning a prize bond or crossword puzzle means you lose 15% to taxes as an Active Filer, but a massive 30% if you are a Non-Filer. • The sale of petroleum products is taxed at 12% for Filers and exactly double that at 24% for Non-Filers. • Importing pharmaceutical products carries an 8% tax for Non-Filers, which is exactly double the 4% rate applied to Active Taxpayers. • Registering a 2001cc to 2500cc luxury vehicle incurs a 7% tax for Active Filers, but a staggering 21% tax for Non-Filers. • Payments made to non-resident sportspersons incur a 15% tax if they are on the ATL, and a massive 30% if they are non-ATL. • Buying a high-end 2501cc to 3000cc vehicle leaves Filers with a 9% tax bill, but absolutely punishes Non-Filers with a massive 27% tax rate. • Capital gains arising on the disposal of certain debt securities are taxed at 15% for Filers, but double to 30% for Non-Filers. • Providing IT and IT-enabled services costs Active Taxpayers just 4% in withholding tax, while Non-Filers must pay 8%. •

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Profits on debt from mutual funds deriving 50% or more income from debt carry a huge 50% tax for Non-Filers, compared to 25% for Filers. • Commercial importers of Part-II goods face a 3.5% withholding tax if they are Filers, but the rate doubles to 7% for Non-Filers. • Dividends from Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and general companies cost Active Filers 15% in tax, but Non-Filers lose a massive 30%. • Capital gains arising on the disposal of certain debt securities are taxed at 15% for Filers, but double to 30% for Non-Filers. • Importing basic goods from Part-I of the Twelfth Schedule costs Active Taxpayers just 1% in tax, while Non-Filers have to pay 2%. • If you receive dividends from Independent Power Purchasers (IPPs), Filers pay a 7.5% tax while Non-Filers surrender 15%. • Active Filers importing CKD kits for Electric Vehicles pay a minimal 1% tax, whereas Non-Filers pay double at 2%. • Cash withdrawals by a person whose name does not appear on the Active Taxpayers’ List are hit with an automatic 0.8% advance tax. • Winning a prize bond or crossword puzzle means you lose 15% to taxes as an Active Filer, but a massive 30% if you are a Non-Filer. • The sale of petroleum products is taxed at 12% for Filers and exactly double that at 24% for Non-Filers. • Importing pharmaceutical products carries an 8% tax for Non-Filers, which is exactly double the 4% rate applied to Active Taxpayers. • Payments made to non-resident sportspersons incur a 15% tax if they are on the ATL, and a massive 30% if they are non-ATL. • Pensions under 10 million rupees remain 100% tax-exempt for everyone, no matter what your filing status is. • Payments to electronic and print media for advertising services are taxed at just 1.5% for Active Taxpayers, compared to 3% for Non-Filers. • Companies generating rental income from immovable property pay a 15% tax if they are Active Filers, but face a 30% rate as Non-Filers. • Salaries under Rs. 600,000 are completely tax-free, maintaining a 0% rate regardless of your taxpayer status. • Registering a 1000cc motor vehicle costs Filers just 1% in tax, while Non-Filers are penalized with a 3% tax. • Purchasing a 1601cc to 1800cc vehicle will cost Non-Filers a 9% tax, which is three times the 3% rate given to Active Filers. • The withholding tax on banking and financial institution profits is set at 20% for those on the Active Taxpayers’ List, but jumps to 40% for those off the list. • Providing IT and IT-enabled services costs Active Taxpayers just 4% in withholding tax, while Non-Filers must pay 8%. • Winning a raffle, lottery, or sales promotion prize costs Non-Filers a whopping 40% in tax, compared to 20% for Filers. • Buyers of 1301cc to 1600cc cars pay a 2% advance tax if they are Filers, but Non-Filers pay exactly triple at 6%. • Selling rice, cotton seed, or edible oils comes with a low 1.5% tax for Filers, but a 3% tax for Non-Filers. • Buying a high-end 2501cc to 3000cc vehicle leaves Filers with a 9% tax bill, but absolutely punishes Non-Filers with a massive 27% tax rate. • Commercial importers bringing in Part-III items are hit with a 12% tax rate if they are Non-Filers, compared to only 6% for Active Filers. • Registering a 2001cc to 2500cc luxury vehicle incurs a 7% tax for Active Filers, but a staggering 21% tax for Non-Filers. • Profits on debt from mutual funds deriving 50% or more income from debt carry a huge 50% tax for Non-Filers, compared to 25% for Filers. • Commercial importers of Part-II goods face a 3.5% withholding tax if they are Filers, but the rate doubles to 7% for Non-Filers. • Dividends from Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and general companies cost Active Filers 15% in tax, but Non-Filers lose a massive 30%. • Capital gains arising on the disposal of certain debt securities are taxed at 15% for Filers, but double to 30% for Non-Filers. • Importing basic goods from Part-I of the Twelfth Schedule costs Active Taxpayers just 1% in tax, while Non-Filers have to pay 2%. • If you receive dividends from Independent Power Purchasers (IPPs), Filers pay a 7.5% tax while Non-Filers surrender 15%. • Active Filers importing CKD kits for Electric Vehicles pay a minimal 1% tax, whereas Non-Filers pay double at 2%. • Cash withdrawals by a person whose name does not appear on the Active Taxpayers’ List are hit with an automatic 0.8% advance tax. • Winning a prize bond or crossword puzzle means you lose 15% to taxes as an Active Filer, but a massive 30% if you are a Non-Filer. • The sale of petroleum products is taxed at 12% for Filers and exactly double that at 24% for Non-Filers. • Importing pharmaceutical products carries an 8% tax for Non-Filers, which is exactly double the 4% rate applied to Active Taxpayers. • Payments made to non-resident sportspersons incur a 15% tax if they are on the ATL, and a massive 30% if they are non-ATL. • Pensions under 10 million rupees remain 100% tax-exempt for everyone, no matter what your filing status is. • Payments to electronic and print media for advertising services are taxed at just 1.5% for Active Taxpayers, compared to 3% for Non-Filers. • Companies generating rental income from immovable property pay a 15% tax if they are Active Filers, but face a 30% rate as Non-Filers. • Salaries under Rs. 600,000 are completely tax-free, maintaining a 0% rate regardless of your taxpayer status. • Registering a 1000cc motor vehicle costs Filers just 1% in tax, while Non-Filers are penalized with a 3% tax. • Purchasing a 1601cc to 1800cc vehicle will cost Non-Filers a 9% tax, which is three times the 3% rate given to Active Filers. • The withholding tax on banking and financial institution profits is set at 20% for those on the Active Taxpayers’ List, but jumps to 40% for those off the list. • Providing IT and IT-enabled services costs Active Taxpayers just 4% in withholding tax, while Non-Filers must pay 8%. • Winning a raffle, lottery, or sales promotion prize costs Non-Filers a whopping 40% in tax, compared to 20% for Filers. • Buyers of 1301cc to 1600cc cars pay a 2% advance tax if they are Filers, but Non-Filers pay exactly triple at 6%. • Selling rice, cotton seed, or edible oils comes with a low 1.5% tax for Filers, but a 3% tax for Non-Filers. • Buying a high-end 2501cc to 3000cc vehicle leaves Filers with a 9% tax bill, but absolutely punishes Non-Filers with a massive 27% tax rate. • Commercial importers bringing in Part-III items are hit with a 12% tax rate if they are Non-Filers, compared to only 6% for Active Filers. • Registering a 2001cc to 2500cc luxury vehicle incurs a 7% tax for Active Filers, but a staggering 21% tax for Non-Filers. •

Tax on TV Plays and Advertisements in Pakistan

Under Section 236CA of the Income Tax Ordinance, advance tax applies on foreign TV dramas, plays, and advertisements featuring foreign actors in Pakistan. The tax is collected at certification by licensing authorities to regulate foreign content and support local media.

Mah Noor
July 20, 2025
Tax Toolkit

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has prescribed advance tax under Section 236CA of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 on foreign-produced TV plays, dramas, and advertisements. These taxes are collected at the time of certification by the licensing authorities and are aimed at regulating revenue from foreign content broadcasted in Pakistan.

Tax on Foreign-Produced TV Drama Serials or Plays

Tax Rate: Rs. 1,000,000 per episode (*Rs. 2,000,000 per episode for non filers)
Collected From: Companies obtaining certification for airing foreign TV dramas or plays.
Collection Authority: Any licensing authority certifying the foreign TV drama serial or play.

Tax on Foreign-Produced TV Plays (Single Episode)

Tax Rate: Rs. 3,000,000 per episode (*Rs. 6,000,000 for non filers)
Collected From: Companies importing or certifying foreign-produced single-episode TV plays.
Collection Authority: Licensing authority certifying the play for broadcast.

Tax on Advertisements Featuring Foreign Actors

Tax Rate: Rs. 100,000 per second (*Rs. 200,000 per second for non filers)
Collected From: Companies producing or broadcasting commercials that feature foreign actors.
Collection Authority: Any licensing authority certifying the commercial.

Key Features of Section 236CA

These taxes are collected on a minimum basis, meaning they cannot be adjusted or reduced against other tax liabilities.
The responsibility of collection rests with licensing authorities, ensuring compliance before the content is permitted for broadcast in Pakistan.
The measure aims to promote local content by imposing higher costs on imported dramas, plays, and advertisements featuring foreign actors.

Conclusion

Section 236CA creates a structured mechanism for taxing foreign-produced content in Pakistan. By imposing advance tax on dramas, plays, and advertisements involving foreign actors, the government seeks to generate revenue while also encouraging the growth of the local media and entertainment industry.

Mah Noor

An aspiring Chartered Accountant with a growing footprint in Pakistan’s tax education and digital finance content landscape. Currently, I work as the Editor-in-Chief at TaxationPk, where I lead content strategy, quality control, and editorial planning for tax-related blogs, news articles, and social media outreach.

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