The federal government has decided to increase the general sales tax (GST) on everyday school and office supplies from 10 percent to 18 percent under the upcoming Finance Bill 2026, official sources informed ProPakistani a short while ago.
The proposal has already been finalized and has received clearance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Once implemented, the revised tax rate will take effect from July 1, 2026.
Currently taxed at 10 percent, stationery items will see an 8 percentage-point jump, pushing the total sales tax to 18 percent.
Inflation is already causing everything to become more expensive across the country, but the government has decided to enforce a new tax regime on stationery products to enhance tax revenue next fiscal year. This could offer the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) a bigger source to achieve its tax targets starting July.
Sources said the move will directly impact students, parents, and office consumers as the cost of basic supplies rises across the country.
Unless cheaper items start entering the local market, all stationery will get more expensive because of higher GST, sources added.
