The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued a notice to traders in Karachi, instructing them to pay an advance tax of up to Rs60,000 per month under the Tajir Dost Scheme.
The notice, issued by the regional tax office in Karachi, specifies that the payment is due by the 15th of each month.
The Tajir Dost Scheme, designed to simplify tax compliance for traders, has sparked concern among the business community, particularly in key markets such as Liaquatabad and the electronics market.
Traders have expressed frustration over what they see as an additional financial burden imposed by the authorities.
In response to the scheme, Karachi’s business community has decided not to comply with the advance tax payment. On Friday, traders announced a nationwide strike scheduled for August 28 to protest against the Tajir Dost Scheme.
During a joint press conference, the All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran, along with other traders’ associations, demanded the immediate withdrawal of the scheme, labelling it as ‘unacceptable.’
They also called for the reversal of the decision to impose heavy taxes on the export sector, as well as the withdrawal of the recent increase in income tax slabs for salaried individuals and business owners.
