Finance Bill 2025 provisions show new measures will come into effect on July 1, 2025
ISLAMABAD: (UrduPoint/Pakistan Point News-June 18th, 2025) In a major move to widen the tax base, the federal government has granted the Federal board of Revenue (FBR) the authority to forcibly register non-filers, according to provisions introduced in the newly approved Finance Bill 2025.
The new measures will come into effect on July 1, 2025.
The decision is part of the government’s broader fiscal reforms aimed at improving tax compliance and enhancing revenue collection.
Under the new amendments, if an individual is liable for registration under the Sales Tax Act but fails to do so voluntarily, the Commissioner Inland Revenue or another authorized officer will have the power to register that person without their consent, based on official investigation.
To support these enforcement efforts, the government has added two new legal clauses — Sections 14AC and 14AD — into the Sales Tax Act. These clauses are specifically designed to crack down on individuals who avoid tax registration or filing obligations.
According to the new Section 14AC, the Commissioner will be empowered to freeze the bank accounts of any unregistered person through a formal written order. This restriction will remain in place until the person completes the registration process.
The officials said that the measures reflected a tougher stance by the government against widespread tax evasion and are intended to significantly expand the number of active taxpayers in the country.
