FBR Issues Tax Notices to Jewelers in Crackdown on Evasion
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has launched a strict enforcement drive against jewelers who have not been paying their due taxes, as part of a broader crackdown on tax evasion.
According to official sources, tax notices have been served to jewelers in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Faisalabad, and Multan, asking them to explain discrepancies in their tax records.
In a related action, the FBR also carried out a raid on a major real estate company in Islamabad, signaling that the crackdown is not limited to jewelers alone.
Recent reports revealed that the FBR has collected data on nearly 60,000 jewelers across Pakistan. Out of these, only 21,000 are registered with the authority, and just 10,524 have filed tax returns. Officials say a large number of jewelers are underreporting their income to avoid paying taxes.
To address the issue, the FBR has begun enforcement measures, starting with a list of 900 jewelers in Punjab, including those based in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, and Multan.
In the first phase, notices are being issued where declared income does not match the scale of business operations or lifestyle. Authorities have confirmed that stronger action will follow if businesses fail to comply.
The move is seen as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to broaden the tax net and improve revenue collection from sectors that remain largely undocumented.
