ISLAMABAD – The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has decided to intensify its efforts to audit various sectors, with a special focus on high-earning professionals, including doctors, and luxury service industries.
The move is aligned with the conditions imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the loan programme.
Reports said large cities such as Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad are the primary targets for this new audit campaign, with particular attention being given to well-known doctors.
The FBR has already begun issuing notices to prominent doctors in these cities, and an audit of the incomes of approximately 250 high-earning doctors is set to take place. This is just the first phase of the audit targeting medical professionals.
Reports added that 100 doctors belong to Lahore and as many to Karachi while 50 professionals will come under scrutiny from Islamabad.
Additionally, the beauty sector is also under scrutiny. High-end beauty parlors, particularly those dealing in expensive cosmetics and services, are now being brought under the tax net. As part of the drive, luxury cosmetic retailers are also expected to face rigorous audits to ensure compliance with tax regulations.
In a bid to combat tax evasion within the industrial sector, the FBR has also decided to audit companies in the paint industry, a sector known for its potential to evade taxes.
To handle the growing scope of these audits, the FBR has already contracted 600 private auditors and plans to hire an additional 200 auditors in the coming days.
Ultimately, the FBR aims to enlist a total of 2,000 private auditors who will be tasked with ensuring that taxpayers’ information remains confidential while also increasing transparency and tax compliance across various high-revenue sectors.
The FBR’s aggressive stance on tax audits comes at a time when the country is under increasing pressure to meet fiscal targets and secure IMF financial support.
These steps are expected to contribute significantly to the national revenue, while also addressing long-standing issues related to tax evasion in Pakistan’s lucrative sectors.
