The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) integrated 160 additional large retailers into its point-of-sale (POS) system in October 2024, increasing the total number of Tier-I registered retailers to 9,290, according to a report by Business Recorder.
By the end of September 2024, the FBR had registered 9,130 retailers in the POS system, with a primary focus on transactions from Tier-I establishments like hotels and restaurants.
As of October 17, 2024, FBR data revealed that out of the 9,290 large retailers using the POS system, 676 were restaurants, while 507 represented the leather and textile industries.
Additionally, around 64,000 traders are registered under the Tajir Dost Scheme. However, tax compliance remains low, with just 575 traders collectively paying less than Rs 1.3 million in total taxes.
In August, the FBR amended an SRO related to the Tajir Dost Scheme two days before a nationwide strike by traders protesting new taxes and soaring electricity bills.
Naeem Mir, the Chief Coordinator of the Tajir Dost Scheme, clarified that the FBR would not advocate for non-filers, noting that the salaried class bears the brunt of the tax burden.
Furthermore, he mentioned the formation of a committee at the commissioner level, including local trader representatives, to determine tax amounts for different areas and markets.
Media reports from last month indicated that the FBR planned to impose heavy fines on large retailers found issuing non-certified electronic invoices or receipts to customers.
