The incumbent Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government has made tall claims about increasing the tax net since coming into power last year in May. Prime Minister, Imran Khan has urged the nation, time and again, to pay their taxes as responsible citizens, however, it hasn’t borne much fruit.
To facilitate the masses, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has launched a Tax Profiling System in collaboration with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), which allows the registered users to view their tax profiles. The system integrates data including property, bank accounts, utility bills, travels from multiple sources.
The step has been taken to make tax payment a hassle-free process, however, it is just a start, which can integrate other useful data, such as credit history and loans, to offer everything in one place. The portal’s launch will not directly be used for assessing tax worth, however, it gives the citizens an account of the information available with the government.
What this means is that the government has shared the list of assets, expenses and other data, of 53 million people, available with multiple government departments and the citizens can see their profile. With this data, the government can easily increase the tax net and deliver on its promises.
Here’s how the portal looks:
You may use this service if you:
To have access to your data available with the government, you will have to register on the Tax Profiling System by filling in your data and answering multiple questions, for security reasons.
The registration process further includes three steps:
Once you are done, you have to make a payment of Rs 500 either through a credit card or by visiting any e-Sahulat center.
Following the payment of fee, you can download your tax profile.
The tax profile includes all the details from bank accounts to previous utility bills and taxes paid, your properties, the car or bike you drive, and the domestic and international trips.
The tax net profile enables the users to accurately declare their assets with the FBR and play their part in the economic uplift of the country.
Integration of data from multiple government sources on a single platform is a first of its kind achievement and saves the citizens the hassle of visiting multiple government offices to assess their tax profile. The information can be used to correct the return filing data if incorrect.
According to the official statements, the system has been made fully secure and no other person can access information. If needed, the security could be further enhanced. The ultimate objective of the portal is to bridge the gap and provide information to the people at their doorsteps.
The step would serve as a first link in the chain for a greater tax net, provided the government shows resolve and further improves data security.
The downside is the Rs 500 fee, which might hamper the process. It could serve as an obstacle to an otherwise useful process as a number of citizens would be reluctant to pay a fee for the process. Slashing the fee would help ensure maximum participation from the masses.
