Tax dodgers to face stern action under govt's efforts to enhance revenue collection

• PM stresses use of video analytics to improve revenue collection.
• Directs its rapid implementation in cement and tobacco industries.
• Premier calls for swift completion of FBR's value chain digitisation.

LAHORE: As the federal government continues efforts to expand the tax net and increase revenue generation, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the authorities to take stern action against tax defaulters, The News reported on Sunday.

"Improving the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) performance through technology is the government’s top priority," said the prime minister while presiding over a crucial review meeting on strategies to enhance revenue collection a day earlier.

Briefed by officials on the installation and monitoring of video analytics in the sugar industry, PM Shehbaz emphasised that the use of video analytics in the sugar industry would significantly improve revenue collection, eliminate hoarding and help stabilise prices.

"Our utmost effort is to ensure the availability of sugar at affordable prices for the public," remarked the premier while ordering regular monitoring of sugar stocks to maintain an uninterrupted supply chain.

During the meeting — attended by Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister of State for Finance Ali Pervaiz Malik, and senior government officials — the premier directed stringent and indiscriminate action against tax evasion and under-reporting by sugar mills.

Underscoring that ongoing measures for FBR's digitisation would bring billions of rupees in benefits to the national treasury, the PM instructed the swift completion of the tax authority's value chain digitisation and called for rapid implementation of video analytics in the cement and tobacco industries.

The development comes days after the FBR launched its Faceless Customs Assessment (FCA) System as part of its efforts to reform the tax sector.

The FCA, a key component of the FBR Transformation Plan approved by the prime minister, mandates that import goods declarations filed after midnight on December 14 at Karachi's Appraisement Collectorates will be assessed by the Central Appraising Unit (CAU).

Furthermore, an incentive-based performance management mechanism has been introduced to enhance productivity and ensure accountability of the Customs appraising officers posted in the CAU.

This mechanism would reward the appraising officers who perform their duties with diligence and integrity.

Additionally, the eligibility criteria and licensing regime of Customs Clearing Agents have also been revamped and a points-scoring system is being introduced to make them responsible for correct and quality declarations.

Under the point scoring system, the Customs agents who give true and honest declarations of description, value and origin, etc., shall score more points and their profile would improve.

On the contrary licence of, officials who fail to show improvements in the declarations would lose points which might eventually lead to the cancellation of their licence.