Latest news with #CVT
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Hoping against hope for a ‘bold budget'
EDITORIAL: The finance minister, Mohammad Aurangzeb, is describing the upcoming budget as a 'bold budget.' However, the FBR (Federal Board of Revenue) is attempting to impose regressive and lazy taxes through the backdoor measures that can be called anything but certainly not bold. The tax machinery remains fixated on extracting revenue without broadening the tax base, and in doing so it is, in fact, strangling the formal economy. A glaring example is the government's last-minute attempt to impose a Capital Value Tax (CVT) on movable assets such as cash and gold — a move rightly objected to by the IMF (International Monetary Fund). The government's mindset appears to be to offer relief through populist measures, while making up the revenue shortfall with ad hoc, irrational proposals. There remains no considerable effort to expand the tax base or bring the under-taxed and untaxed segments into the net. Simultaneously, the government is proposing to increase the withholding tax (WHT) rate on income from bank deposits and investments in mutual funds — while also attempting to apply CVT on cash. Such steps will only push the economy further into informality, encouraging people to withdraw funds from the banking system and divert savings into gold, foreign currency, or even hide the money under their mattresses. Pakistan's tax system is already highly regressive, with one of the highest sales tax rates and widespread application of Federal Excise Duty (FED) and WHT (Withholding Tax) across transactions of various goods and services running in parallel with sales tax and federal excise duty in VAT mode. A sizeable portion of income tax is collected at the import stage. Now, the proposal for a wealth tax adds another layer of burden, not reform, but regression. Previously, the government imposed CVT on foreign assets, including those declared under the amnesty scheme — despite the explicit promise that, upon paying the specified tax, wealth would be accepted as legitimate. The government later backtracked on this commitment, and the CVT, therefore, is now being challenged in court. Those who declared their wealth feel betrayed, while those who did not are reaping the benefits. Now, even those who have fully declared and paid taxes on their assets are being pushed toward informality. The kind of taxes FBR is proposing will only deepen the grey areas of the economy. Needless to say, Pakistan already suffers from an abysmally low savings rate, which translates into low investment. The savings-investment gap perpetrates current account deficits, triggering recurring balance of payments crises. Regressive tax measures will only worsen this trend by discouraging savings. The continuation of high-income taxes, including super taxes, is also a significant deterrent to investment and capital formation. The talk of a wealth tax causes further uncertainty and dampens investor confidence. The core issue is that the government seems intent on taxing everything that is documented — merely plugging in numbers wherever feasible. This mindset, along with coercive tactics, erodes trust between the state and the taxpayer and undermines efforts to broaden the tax base. Domestic investors and family business groups are shifting their wealth abroad. Salaried professionals are seeking jobs outside Pakistan. Talent and capital are both leaving the country. This outflow seriously threatens privatisation efforts, especially since history shows that when domestic investors have earned returns — such as in the case of IPPs — the state has reneged on its commitments. Foreign investors, on the other hand, have at times been spared the same treatment. This disparity has made local investors reluctant to bid for Discos unless backed by foreign partners — yet foreign interest remains weak, as seen in the case of KE shareholders who have not received a single rupee as dividend in 20 years. The government urgently needs to improve investor sentiment and foster an enabling environment for investment. However, the current approach — milking the formal sector to implicitly subsidise the informal one — is exacerbating the problem. If the government genuinely wants to be bold, it must do the right things: build trust, broaden the tax net equitably, and create policies that support sustainable, inclusive economic growth. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Tola suggests MAT via CVT
LAHORE: Taxonomist Ashfaq Yousuf Tola has suggested introduction of Minimum Asset Tax (MAT) via Capital Value Tax (CVT) and modernization of the definition of 'Resident Individual' for tax purposes to broaden the tax base and ensure equity within the tax system. To ensure high-net-worth individuals contribute a fair share to national revenue, he has proposed to introduce MAT by expanding the scope of Capital Value Tax CVT. He said the MAT would apply to resident individuals whose domestic assets exceed PKR 100 million and the tax would be charged at 1% of the fair market value of the assets exceeding this threshold. According to him, MAT would be adjustable against the individual's income tax liability, serving as a minimum threshold for direct taxation rather than imposing an extra tax burden. Regarding modernization of the definition of 'Resident Individual' for tax purposes, he said the current residency definition under Section 82 of the Income Tax Ordinance. 2001, which classifies a resident as someone spending 183 days or more in Pakistan, is outdated and lacks alignment with more nuanced residency rules in other jurisdictions. Tola has proposed a revised framework, saying that a more appropriate definition of residency would classify individuals as a 'resident' if they stay in Pakistan for 182 days or more during a financial year. For individuals who stay between 120 and 181 days, he said, their residency status should depend on both citizenship and income. Specifically, Tola pointed out, a Pakistani citizen (as defined under the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951) or a person holding a Pakistan Origin Card (POC) who earns income exceeding a prescribed threshold (excluding foreign-sourced income), and has no tax liability in any other country, should be treated as a Resident but Not Ordinarily Resident (RNOR). Those who do not meet these criteria should be classified as non-residents, he stressed. Also, he said, individuals who spend less than 120 days in Pakistan during the financial year should be treated as Non-Residents, regardless of their income or nationality. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
10-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
FY26 budget: Rates of CGT and WHT will be reduced
ISLAMABAD: The rates of the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and Withholding Tax on immovable properties would be rationalized in the upcoming budget (2025-26) to facilitate buyers and sellers of real estate sector from July 1, 2025. Sources told Business Recorder that the rates of withholding tax would be reduced on the import of raw materials/inputs in federal budget (2025-26). The rates of withholding taxes would also be reduced on all other financial transactions except those withholding taxes where income is gained like withholding tax on dividends etc. However, the policy is to reduce rates on all kinds of withholding taxes in coming budget. As far as real estate sector is concerned, sources confirmed that the federal excise duty would be abolished in budget (2025-26). Secondly, the withholding tax on buying and selling of immovable properties would be reduced. Presently, 3 percent withholding tax is applicable on sellers under section 236C (Advance Tax on sale or transfer of immovable Property) of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001. The Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on immovable properties would be revised from July 1, 2025. Keeping in view inflation and cost of properties, the CGT needs to be rationalized. The CGT under section 37 of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001 would be applicable on sellers. The CGT is paid by the seller whenever he sells, he will have to pay the CGT at the time of filing of his income tax return. Rs265.745bn WHT paid in H1FY25: Salaried individuals emerge major contributor to kitty When contacted, a real estate expert, Muhammad Ahsan Malik told this scribe that Task Force for development of housing sector has recommended abolition of section 7E of the Income Tax Ordinance, capital value tax (CVT) in Islamabad and reduction in transaction taxes on buying/selling of immovable properties. According to the final recommendations of the Task Force, it has recommended waiver of sub section 2A of 236C pertaining to 7E declaration & approval by Commissioner, provide basic exemptions for properties valued at up to Rs 10 million, shifting non-resident verification to an online system via NADRA and uniform rate for filers and late filers to remove disparities. Task Force has further recommended abolishing section 7 E of the Income Tax Ordinance; standardizing and rationalizing stamp tax rates across provinces and ICT, abolishing CVT in Islamabad and ensuring uniform taxation policies through the National Tax Council and waiver of wealth reconciliation for investment in real estate and construction sector up to Rs. 50 million. Task Force has further recommended revision of property valuations every three years to reflect market prices and introduction of exemptions for transaction tax for specific categories, such as low-cost housing, government plots, and first-time homebuyers, Muhammad Ahsan Malik added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
