Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani visited the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) to review the implementation of the newly operationalised Asaan Tax Scheme and its mobile application with traders and business representatives.
The meeting brought together representatives from trade and shopkeeper associations across Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur. Kayani said the scheme was introduced in response to traders’ demands to simplify tax registration, reduce compliance challenges and broaden Pakistan’s tax base.
Under the Asaan Tax Scheme, shopkeepers can complete a simplified online registration process using an Urdu-language form. Registered retailers will pay a streamlined 1% tax on their declared annual sales turnover, with the tax collected through utility bills and remaining fully adjustable.
The scheme also provides several incentives for registered shopkeepers. Participants will receive an FBR green registration plate, generally remain exempt from routine audits, and will not be required to install Point of Sale (POS) systems or operate as withholding agents.
To improve business facilitation, Kayani announced that senior Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) officials will spend one week each month in Karachi to address commercial grievances and resolve taxpayer issues directly.
Launched in August, the Asaan Tax Scheme aims to provide immediate relief to small retailers while improving tax compliance and expanding the formal tax base. Trade organisations and KCCI representatives welcomed the initiative and appreciated the government’s efforts to address concerns of the business community.
