FBR Developed a Software to Collect Biweekly Data from Mobile Operators

FBR Developed a Software to Collect Biweekly Data from Mobile Operators. Few days back, a meeting of senate standing committee on Finance enlightened the capacity constraints of FBR. The committee was headed by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla. The committee had called FBR for an update on audit of telecommunication companies. It was shocking to know that FBR don’t have capacity to analyse transaction wise data of withholding taxes collected by telecommunication companies. This capacity constraint of FBR was overburdening existing taxpayers to meet annual targets.

FBR Developed a Software to Collect Biweekly Data from Mobile Operators

Telecom operators were reluctant to share customer data with Federal Board of Revenue however after the involvement of PTA, this issue has been resolved. A representative from FBR revealed that a new software has been designed for collection of biweekly data from telecom operators.

He said:

“The companies were reluctant to share the data with the FBR describing huge customer base and confidentiality as the reasons but the matter has been resolved after involving the PTA. Ufone, Telenor and Mobilink have started providing data for the last three months

During the meeting, Shahi Syed said that withholding tax should not be deducted from mobile phone cards of more that Rs. 100. As Rs. 100 card is mostly used by low income group. He also recommended PTA to eradicate free distribution of SIMs across the country.

This is a positive step by FBR after so long as they were lagging behind in collection of data and taxes. Recently senate committee has raised a big question mark over FBR’s performance. It seems FBR is trying to regain its positions by launching new software.

Also Read: FBR Fails to Analyse WHT of Telecom Companies due to Capacity Constraints