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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%. • Capital gains arising on the disposal of certain debt securities are taxed at 15% for Filers, but double to 30% for Non-Filers. • Winning a raffle, lottery, or sales promotion prize costs Non-Filers a whopping 40% in tax, compared to 20% for Filers. • Salaries under Rs. 600,000 are completely tax-free, maintaining a 0% rate regardless of your taxpayer status. • Selling rice, cotton seed, or edible oils comes with a low 1.5% tax for Filers, but a 3% tax 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%. • 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. • If you receive dividends from Independent Power Purchasers (IPPs), Filers pay a 7.5% tax while Non-Filers surrender 15%. • Companies generating rental income from immovable property pay a 15% tax if they are Active Filers, but face a 30% rate as Non-Filers. • The sale of petroleum products is taxed at 12% for Filers and exactly double that at 24% for Non-Filers. • Registering a 2001cc to 2500cc luxury vehicle incurs a 7% tax for Active Filers, but a staggering 21% 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%. • Buyers of 1301cc to 1600cc cars pay a 2% advance tax if they are Filers, but Non-Filers pay exactly triple at 6%. • 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 1000cc motor vehicle costs Filers just 1% in tax, while Non-Filers are penalized with a 3% tax. • 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. • Payments to electronic and print media for advertising services are taxed at just 1.5% for Active Taxpayers, compared to 3% 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. • Importing pharmaceutical products carries an 8% tax for Non-Filers, which is exactly double the 4% rate applied to Active Taxpayers. • 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. • Pensions under 10 million rupees remain 100% tax-exempt for everyone, no matter what your filing status is. • Active Filers importing CKD kits for Electric Vehicles pay a minimal 1% tax, whereas Non-Filers pay double at 2%. • 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. • 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%. • Capital gains arising on the disposal of certain debt securities are taxed at 15% for Filers, but double to 30% for Non-Filers. • Winning a raffle, lottery, or sales promotion prize costs Non-Filers a whopping 40% in tax, compared to 20% for Filers. • Salaries under Rs. 600,000 are completely tax-free, maintaining a 0% rate regardless of your taxpayer status. • Selling rice, cotton seed, or edible oils comes with a low 1.5% tax for Filers, but a 3% tax 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%. • 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. • If you receive dividends from Independent Power Purchasers (IPPs), Filers pay a 7.5% tax while Non-Filers surrender 15%. • Companies generating rental income from immovable property pay a 15% tax if they are Active Filers, but face a 30% rate as Non-Filers. • The sale of petroleum products is taxed at 12% for Filers and exactly double that at 24% for Non-Filers. • Registering a 2001cc to 2500cc luxury vehicle incurs a 7% tax for Active Filers, but a staggering 21% 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%. • Buyers of 1301cc to 1600cc cars pay a 2% advance tax if they are Filers, but Non-Filers pay exactly triple at 6%. • 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 1000cc motor vehicle costs Filers just 1% in tax, while Non-Filers are penalized with a 3% tax. • 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. • Payments to electronic and print media for advertising services are taxed at just 1.5% for Active Taxpayers, compared to 3% 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. • Importing pharmaceutical products carries an 8% tax for Non-Filers, which is exactly double the 4% rate applied to Active Taxpayers. • 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. • Pensions under 10 million rupees remain 100% tax-exempt for everyone, no matter what your filing status is. • Active Filers importing CKD kits for Electric Vehicles pay a minimal 1% tax, whereas Non-Filers pay double at 2%. • 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. •

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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. • The sale of petroleum products is taxed at 12% for Filers and exactly double that at 24% for Non-Filers. • If you receive dividends from Independent Power Purchasers (IPPs), Filers pay a 7.5% tax while Non-Filers surrender 15%. • Importing basic goods from Part-I of the Twelfth Schedule costs Active Taxpayers just 1% in tax, while Non-Filers have to pay 2%. • 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. • Dividends from Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and general companies cost Active Filers 15% in tax, but Non-Filers lose a massive 30%. • Companies generating rental income from immovable property pay a 15% tax if they are Active Filers, but face a 30% rate as 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. • 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. • Registering a 2001cc to 2500cc luxury vehicle incurs a 7% tax for Active Filers, but a staggering 21% tax for Non-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. • Buyers of 1301cc to 1600cc cars pay a 2% advance tax if they are Filers, but Non-Filers pay exactly triple at 6%. • Capital gains arising on the disposal of certain debt securities are taxed at 15% for Filers, but double to 30% for Non-Filers. • Payments to electronic and print media for advertising services are taxed at just 1.5% for Active Taxpayers, compared to 3% for Non-Filers. • Importing pharmaceutical products carries an 8% tax for Non-Filers, which is exactly double the 4% rate applied to Active Taxpayers. • 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. • Registering a 1000cc motor vehicle costs Filers just 1% in tax, while Non-Filers are penalized with a 3% tax. • Pensions under 10 million rupees remain 100% tax-exempt for everyone, no matter what your filing status is. • Active Filers importing CKD kits for Electric Vehicles pay a minimal 1% tax, whereas Non-Filers pay double at 2%. • Providing IT and IT-enabled services costs Active Taxpayers just 4% in withholding tax, while Non-Filers must pay 8%. • 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. • Selling rice, cotton seed, or edible oils comes with a low 1.5% tax for Filers, but a 3% tax 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. • Winning a raffle, lottery, or sales promotion prize costs Non-Filers a whopping 40% in tax, compared to 20% for Filers. • Salaries under Rs. 600,000 are completely tax-free, maintaining a 0% rate regardless of your taxpayer status. • Purchasing a 1601cc to 1800cc vehicle will cost Non-Filers a 9% tax, which is three times the 3% rate given to Active 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. • The sale of petroleum products is taxed at 12% for Filers and exactly double that at 24% for Non-Filers. • If you receive dividends from Independent Power Purchasers (IPPs), Filers pay a 7.5% tax while Non-Filers surrender 15%. • Importing basic goods from Part-I of the Twelfth Schedule costs Active Taxpayers just 1% in tax, while Non-Filers have to pay 2%. • 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. • Dividends from Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and general companies cost Active Filers 15% in tax, but Non-Filers lose a massive 30%. • Companies generating rental income from immovable property pay a 15% tax if they are Active Filers, but face a 30% rate as 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. • 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. • Registering a 2001cc to 2500cc luxury vehicle incurs a 7% tax for Active Filers, but a staggering 21% tax for Non-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. • Buyers of 1301cc to 1600cc cars pay a 2% advance tax if they are Filers, but Non-Filers pay exactly triple at 6%. • Capital gains arising on the disposal of certain debt securities are taxed at 15% for Filers, but double to 30% for Non-Filers. • Payments to electronic and print media for advertising services are taxed at just 1.5% for Active Taxpayers, compared to 3% for Non-Filers. • Importing pharmaceutical products carries an 8% tax for Non-Filers, which is exactly double the 4% rate applied to Active Taxpayers. • 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. • Registering a 1000cc motor vehicle costs Filers just 1% in tax, while Non-Filers are penalized with a 3% tax. • Pensions under 10 million rupees remain 100% tax-exempt for everyone, no matter what your filing status is. • Active Filers importing CKD kits for Electric Vehicles pay a minimal 1% tax, whereas Non-Filers pay double at 2%. • Providing IT and IT-enabled services costs Active Taxpayers just 4% in withholding tax, while Non-Filers must pay 8%. • 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. • Selling rice, cotton seed, or edible oils comes with a low 1.5% tax for Filers, but a 3% tax 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. • Winning a raffle, lottery, or sales promotion prize costs Non-Filers a whopping 40% in tax, compared to 20% for Filers. • Salaries under Rs. 600,000 are completely tax-free, maintaining a 0% rate regardless of your taxpayer status. • Purchasing a 1601cc to 1800cc vehicle will cost Non-Filers a 9% tax, which is three times the 3% rate given to Active Filers. •

How to File Balance Sheet for Sales Tax Registered Business?

Sales Tax - Understand FBR balance sheet rules (SRO 350/644) for individuals, AOPs, single-member co. Stay compliant.

Faiza Ehsan
April 1, 2024
Tax Toolkit

In its ongoing efforts to enhance tax compliance, curb tax evasion practices like fake invoicing, and improve fiscal transparency, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) introduced specific financial reporting requirements for certain categories of registered taxpayers in 2024.

While initially perceived as a broad mandate for balance sheet submission, subsequent clarifications and modifications have refined the scope and nature of this requirement, particularly for sales tax registrants.

This article clarifies the current status of balance sheet-related requirements for businesses registered under the Sales Tax Act, 1990.

The Initial Requirement (SRO 350 of 2024)

In March 2024, the FBR issued SRO 350(I)/2024, amending the Sales Tax Rules, 2006. This SRO introduced a requirement primarily aimed at new and existing sales tax registrants who fall into specific categories:

Individuals (Sole Proprietors)
Associations of Persons (AOPs / Partnerships)
Companies with only one shareholder or member

Crucially, this requirement excluded manufacturers. These specified non-manufacturer businesses were initially required to submit a balance sheet indicating their business capital and corresponding assets as part of the registration process or within a stipulated timeframe if already registered.

The goal was to establish a baseline financial capacity against which declared sales could be assessed, potentially flagging returns where declared turnover significantly exceeded (e.g., by five times) the reported business capital.

Controversy and Modification (SRO 644 of 2024)

The introduction of this rule via SRO 350 caused considerable concern among the business community, particularly small businesses, leading to difficulties and delays in sales tax return filing for March 2024. Responding to these concerns, the FBR issued SRO 644(I)/2024 in May 2024.

This subsequent notification significantly modified and relaxed the original requirement. Instead of demanding a full, detailed balance sheet submission within the sales tax filing context for these specific groups, the rule was amended. Now, affected taxpayers are required to declare the “sum of the capital and liabilities declared in the balance sheet”.

This simplified reporting addresses the FBR’s objective of understanding the business’s financial scale without imposing the burden of full balance sheet filing within the monthly sales tax return process for these specific non-manufacturer categories.

Who Needs to Comply?

Based on the current rules (incorporating the modification by SRO 644):

New Registrants: Individuals, AOPs, and single-member/shareholder companies (excluding manufacturers) applying for sales tax registration must provide information reflecting their financial position (related to the “sum of capital and liabilities”) during the electronic registration process via the FBR’s Iris portal.
Existing Registrants: Those in the categories above who may not have complied with the initial SRO 350 requirement should ensure their registration profile reflects the necessary financial information (sum of capital and liabilities) to avoid potential issues with return filing.
Manufacturers & Other Companies: Manufacturers and companies with multiple shareholders/members were generally not the primary target of this specific rule within the Sales Tax Rules amendments (SRO 350/644). However, companies are typically required to file audited financial statements, including balance sheets, as part of their annual income tax return obligations under the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.

Why is this Information Required?

The FBR’s rationale includes:

Preventing Fake/Flying Invoices: Establishing a link between a business’s financial capacity (capital/liabilities) and its sales volume helps identify registrations potentially set up solely for issuing fraudulent invoices.
Ensuring Tax Compliance: It serves as a check against significant under-reporting of sales relative to the business’s operational scale.
Improving Tax Administration: Provides FBR with baseline data for risk assessment and better resource allocation.

How to Comply (for affected non-manufacturers)

Filing Method: Information related to the sum of capital and liabilities is submitted electronically via the FBR’s Iris portal, typically integrated within the registration or profile update sections.
Certification: While SRO 644 doesn’t explicitly mandate third-party certification for submitting the “sum of capital and liabilities” in this specific sales tax context, the underlying financial records must be accurate. Standard accounting practices should be followed.
Manual Filing: While electronic filing via Iris is the standard and enforced method, the user prompt mentioned manual submission as a possibility. However, given the system’s direction, relying on manual submission might be impractical or disallowed for regular compliance.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failure to provide the required information (sum of capital and liabilities) when applicable can lead to:

Difficulties or blockage in electronically filing sales tax returns via Iris.
Potential penalties and fines.
Suspension of sales tax registration.
Legal action in persistent cases.

The Importance of Regular Bookkeeping

Regardless of specific FBR submission mandates, maintaining accurate and up-to-date financial records, including regular (e.g., monthly) internal balance sheets, is crucial for:

Financial Health Monitoring: Understanding assets, liabilities, and equity provides vital insights.
Informed Decision-Making: Data supports strategic planning, investment, and operational adjustments.
Simplified Tax Filing: Readily available records ease the preparation of both sales tax and income tax returns.
Credibility: Demonstrates financial responsibility to banks, investors, and partners.

While the initial rollout of balance sheet requirements under SRO 350 caused confusion, the FBR has clarified and modified the rule (via SRO 644) for non-manufacturer individuals, AOPs, and single-member companies registered for sales tax. These businesses now need to ensure their registration profile accurately reflects the “sum of capital and liabilities.”