FBR’s task force outlines key reforms in inaugural meeting

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Task Force on Digitalisation held its inaugural meeting yesterday, setting the stage for a comprehensive overhaul of the FBR’s systems.

The Task Force decided to establish four working groups, each responsible for drafting recommendations to be reviewed at the next meeting on August 21, 2024.

The working groups will be led by Gohar Ahmed Khan, Ghazi Akhtar (with support from Mr. Ziad Bashir), Asif Peer, and Tania Aidrus (with support from Mr. Ghazi Akhtar), as announced in a press release.

Chaired by Ali Pervez Malik, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue, and co-chaired by Major General Syed Ali Raza, DG C41, the meeting focused on the need for full digitisation of the FBR’s operations.

The State Minister stressed that the digital transformation is essential for more inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

The Task Force aims to develop policy interventions to enhance the FBR’s efficiency and increase national revenue. DG C41 highlighted the goal of improving the country’s tax-to-GDP ratio through effective reforms.

The Chairman of the FBR reaffirmed the commitment to revenue maximisation through data automation and urged the working groups to deliver practical recommendations.

The meeting also featured a presentation by Ali Malik from consulting firm McKinsey, who outlined progress in FBR digitisation, including data sharing initiatives to identify non-compliant taxpayers.

Discussions covered the Task Force’s Terms of Reference (TORs), including data sharing with provinces and ministries, automation of supply chains, an integrated Track & Trace System, and restructuring PRAL. The need for real-time data sharing to broaden the tax base was emphasised.

The Task Force decided to include members from the SECP, State Bank, and Ministries of Commerce and Foreign Affairs in future meetings to enhance the process.

Read next: Discos’ underperformance adds Rs596 billion to circular debt