LAHORE: The Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) has introduced new guidelines for aesthetic clinics, spas, beauty salons, beauty parlours and providers of cosmetic and plastic surgery services across the province.
The authority said the measures aim to improve transparency in sales tax collection while ensuring customers receive proper receipts and clear information about taxes charged on applicable services.
According to a PRA spokesperson, Punjab imposes a 5% sales tax on specified services provided by beauty parlours, salons, cosmetic and plastic surgery providers and businesses offering certain skin and laser treatments.
Businesses Directed to Issue Digital Receipts
The PRA has instructed relevant businesses to prominently display the new guidelines at their cash counters and inform customers about the applicable sales tax before or during payment.
Moreover, customers should carefully examine their bills and verify the Punjab sales tax charged alongside the cost of services.
The authority warned businesses against collecting amounts exceeding the applicable sales tax and service charges permitted under existing laws.
Additionally, the PRA prohibited businesses from issuing temporary or handwritten receipts. Instead, service providers must give customers proper digital receipts documenting payments and applicable taxes.
The measures seek to create a clearer record of transactions while helping consumers identify unauthorised charges.
Customers Can Report Digital Payment Refusals
Meanwhile, the PRA has encouraged customers to report businesses that refuse to accept card or other digital payments.
Consumers can lodge complaints through the PRA Facilitation App or contact the authority through its social media platforms.
Furthermore, the authority said greater use of documented and digital transactions would strengthen transparency in tax collection and improve consumer protection.
The guidelines cover businesses providing a range of beauty, aesthetic and cosmetic services across Punjab.
Consequently, customers using covered services should expect businesses to clearly identify the 5% Punjab sales tax where applicable, issue digital receipts and avoid adding charges beyond those allowed under the law.
