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

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Providing IT and IT-enabled services costs Active Taxpayers just 4% in withholding tax, while Non-Filers must pay 8%. • 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. • Companies generating rental income from immovable property pay a 15% tax if they are Active Filers, but face a 30% rate as Non-Filers. • 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. • 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. • Importing basic goods from Part-I of the Twelfth Schedule costs Active Taxpayers just 1% in tax, while Non-Filers have to pay 2%. • Selling rice, cotton seed, or edible oils comes with a low 1.5% tax for Filers, but a 3% tax 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%. • Dividends from Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and general companies cost Active Filers 15% in tax, but Non-Filers lose a massive 30%. • 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%. • The sale of petroleum products is taxed at 12% for Filers and exactly double that at 24% 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. • 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. • 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. • If you receive dividends from Independent Power Purchasers (IPPs), Filers pay a 7.5% tax while Non-Filers surrender 15%. • 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. • Purchasing a 1601cc to 1800cc vehicle will cost Non-Filers a 9% tax, which is three times the 3% rate given to Active 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. • Providing IT and IT-enabled services costs Active Taxpayers just 4% in withholding tax, while Non-Filers must pay 8%. • 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. • Companies generating rental income from immovable property pay a 15% tax if they are Active Filers, but face a 30% rate as Non-Filers. • 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. • 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. • Importing basic goods from Part-I of the Twelfth Schedule costs Active Taxpayers just 1% in tax, while Non-Filers have to pay 2%. • Selling rice, cotton seed, or edible oils comes with a low 1.5% tax for Filers, but a 3% tax 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%. • Dividends from Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and general companies cost Active Filers 15% in tax, but Non-Filers lose a massive 30%. • 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%. • The sale of petroleum products is taxed at 12% for Filers and exactly double that at 24% 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. • 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. • 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. • If you receive dividends from Independent Power Purchasers (IPPs), Filers pay a 7.5% tax while Non-Filers surrender 15%. • 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. • Purchasing a 1601cc to 1800cc vehicle will cost Non-Filers a 9% tax, which is three times the 3% rate given to Active 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. •

Budget 2026-27: Key Changes in Sales Tax Act 1990 – Relief & Revenue Measures

Explore the Salient Features of Sales Tax Act 1990 under Budget 2026-27, including new exemptions, VAT measures, faceless audit systems, and key compliance reforms in Pakistan.

Mah Noor
June 12, 2026
Tax Toolkit

The following are the salient features for the Sales Tax Act 1990 as proposed in the Budget 2026-27:

1. RELIEF MEASURES

Exemption for magazines: Sales tax exemption is granted to magazines.
Extension for electric vehicles: The exemption on the import of CKD kits for electric vehicles is extended until June 30, 2027.
Aircraft parts for PIACL: The scope of exemption for parts of aircraft imported or leased by M/s PIACL has been enhanced.
Family planning devices: Withdrawal of sales tax exemption on family planning devices.
Abolition of “tampon tax”: The tax on female sanitary products is proposed to be abolished.
Shipping sector boost: Sales tax exemption is provided to encourage strategic investment in the shipping sector.
Strategic imports: Exemptions are provided for strategic imports related to the SCO summit and counter-terrorism efforts.
Refinery upgradation: Import of capital goods for the upgradation and overhaul of existing refineries is exempted from sales tax.
Sixth Schedule additions: New entries have been added to the Sixth Schedule for further exemptions.
Sunset date extension: The sunset date for incentives related to electric vehicles is extended to June 30, 2027.

2. REVENUE MEASURES

Third Schedule expansion: The Third Schedule is expanded to ensure manufacturers pay sales tax based on the consumer price at the manufacturing stage.
Toll manufacturing withholding: Toll manufacturers are now required to withhold sales tax from unregistered buyers.
Enhanced withholding scope: The scope of sales tax withholding by AOPs and individuals from unregistered persons has been increased.
Value Addition Tax (VAT) on raw materials: A 3% VAT will be imposed or recovered from manufacturers if imported raw materials are sold in the same state.
Penalty rationalization: Penalties for certain offenses have been rationalized, and three new offenses have been included in Section 33.

3. STREAMLINING MEASURES

New modern definitions: Definitions for advance receipt invoice, algorithmic settlement mechanism, electronic invoicing system, National Faceless Centre, and production monitoring system have been inserted.
Tier-1 Retailer definition: The definition is streamlined to include any retailer with an annual turnover of Rs. 200 million or more.
Delivery clarification: An explanation has been inserted to clarify the exact time of delivery of goods to a recipient.
Outsourcing of valuation: The Board is granted the power to outsource the function of valuation of goods.
Steel sector taxation: A new proviso in Section 6 imposes tax on the steel sector based on monthly electricity units consumed.
Input tax adjustment limits: A new proviso in Section 8B allows for the enhancement or decrease of limits for input tax adjustment.
Electronic debit and credit notes: Adjustments can now be made through the electronic issuance of debit and credit notes under Section 9.
Faceless Audit and Assessment: A new Section 11H is introduced to allow for audit and assessment proceedings to be conducted in a faceless manner.
Discouraging fraudulent invoices: Section 21(2) is substituted to better discourage the use of fake or flying invoices and other fraudulent activities.
Invoices for exempt supplies: Section 23(1) is substituted to require the issuance of invoices for exempt supplies as well.
Specialized audits: Section 25(8A) is inserted to allow for audits by Chartered Accountants or Cost and Management Accountants.
Faceless jurisdiction: Section 30AA is inserted to provide a framework for faceless jurisdiction.
Directorate General (Field Compliance): A new Directorate General is established within Inland Revenue to focus on field compliance.
Creation of National Faceless Centre: Section 32C is inserted to establish the National Faceless Centre.
Production Monitoring and Video Analytics: Section 40C is revised to include production monitoring systems and video analytics.
Seizure of non-compliant goods: New powers are added to Section 40C for the seizure and confiscation of goods found without prescribed tax stamps or stickers.
Auction of confiscated items: A new Section 40F governs the public auction of confiscated goods.
Faceless appeals: Section 45C is inserted to allow for faceless appeal procedures.
Algorithmic Settlement Mechanism: Section 47AA is added to provide an automated, technology-driven settlement process.
Independent Case Scrutiny Committee: Section 47AAA is inserted to create a committee to scrutinize departmental litigation.
Centralized Directory: Section 56B(3) is added to allow for the maintenance of a centralized data directory.
Restriction on imported “same state” goods: A proviso is added to the Twelfth Schedule to restrict the sale of imported goods that remain in the same state.

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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