Govt weighs 'mini-budget' or spending cuts ahead of IMF talks

• Govt prepares for IMF discussions, considering mini-budget or spending cuts.
• FBR advises against tax hikes despite Rs321 billion projected revenue shortfall.
• Contingency tax measures planned if IMF rejects revenue target reduction.
  

ISLAMABAD: The Shehbaz Sharif-led government has begun preparations for high-stakes discussions with the upcoming International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff mission, aiming to finalise a strategy this weekend.

If a mini-budget is introduced, seven proposals for tax hikes across various sectors are on the table. 

However, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) plans to advise the government against raising tax rates, citing signs of economic recovery and easing inflation pressures, The News reported.

“The government is going to firm up its strategy this weekend for holding negotiations with IMF Staff Mission, led by Nathan Porter, who are scheduled to pay a visit to Islamabad from November 11-15, 2024,” top official sources confirmed while talking to The News on Thursday.

There are two options available to Pakistani authorities. They may unveil a mini budget or reduce expenditure to strike a balance in achieving the agreed fiscal deficit and primary balance targets.

Now it is a test of the economic managers how they can forcefully convince the government to reduce its expenditures instead of further suffocating the economy by unveiling a mini budget.

The FBR has already faced a revenue shortfall of Rs189 billion in the first four months of the current fiscal year. It is projected that this revenue shortfall will go up to Rs321 billion in the first half of the current fiscal year.

The FBR thinks that the government must make an effort to convince the IMF to slash the revenue collection target of Rs12,913 billion keeping in view changes that occurred in nominal growth and reduction in LSM growth and imports. However, the IMF might not extend its support for a reduced target of FBR.

Pakistan has given a written commitment that in case of revenue shortfall, there will be a contingency plan to raise tax revenues.

“Should revenue collection underperform, contingency measures will be implemented in consultation with IMF staff with priority on increases in withholding and excise taxes. 

"Should the 3-month rolling average revenue collection fall short of the projected target by 1 per cent, in consultation with IMF staff, Pakistan will evaluate the adoption of one or more of the following contingency measures: 

"(i) increase advance income tax on import of machinery by 1 percentage point, expected collection of Rs2 billion per month; 

"(ii) increase advance income tax on import of raw materials by industrial undertakings by 1 percentage point, expected collection of Rs3.5 billion per month; 

"(iii) increase advance income tax on import of raw materials by commercial importers by 1 percentage point, expected collection of Rs1 billion per month; 

"(iv) increase withholding tax on supplies by 1 percentage, expected collection of Rs1 billion per month; 

"(v) increase withholding tax on services by 1 percentage point, expected collection of Rs0.5 billion per month; 

"(vi) increase withholding tax on contracts by 1 percentage point, expected collection of Rs0.5 billion per month; and 

"(vii) increase FED on aerated and sugary drinks by 5 percentage point, expected collection Rs2.3 billion per month.”

With all these seven measures, the FBR will be able to generate around Rs20 billion revenue increase every month, but the shortfall was more on average monthly basis.

In such scenario, it will be a million-dollar question how the government will convince the IMF for correction measures without announcing any mini budget.