Karachi, September 8, 2025 – The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is set to enforce one of its strongest compliance measures yet, targeting businesses and individuals who continue to avoid sales tax registration despite being engaged in taxable activities. Under new amendments introduced through the Finance Act 2025, tax officials now hold the authority to suspend or even permanently restrict access to bank accounts of non-compliant taxpayers.
The enforcement stems from the insertion of Section 14AC into the Sales Tax Act, 1990. This provision empowers a Commissioner of Inland Revenue to act if there is credible evidence that a person is supplying taxable goods without obtaining mandatory sales tax registration. To ensure due process, the law provides three separate opportunities for the taxpayer to voluntarily comply. However, if registration is not completed, the Commissioner may issue a written directive to scheduled banks, financial institutions, and banking companies to suspend the taxpayer’s account for three working days.
In cases where non-compliance continues, the suspension can be applied twice more, each instance separated by a gap of one week. Ultimately, if the taxpayer still refuses to register, the Commissioner can move toward a permanent suspension of the bank accounts. Importantly, once registration is completed, the restrictions are to be lifted within two working days, ensuring compliance leads to immediate restoration of banking access.
The legislation also safeguards the right to appeal. Taxpayers who receive such orders may approach the Chief Commissioner Inland Revenue within 30 days to contest the decision. This appeals process is designed to provide checks and balances while still maintaining strong enforcement.
Another new provision, Section 14AD, raises the stakes further by targeting immovable property transfers. If a taxpayer fails to obtain registration within 15 days after a permanent bank account suspension, a committee is formed. This committee includes the Chief Commissioner, a Commissioner, and a representative from a chamber of commerce or trade association. After reviewing the case, the committee may recommend blocking the transfer of immovable property belonging to the unregistered person.
Before imposing such restrictions, the committee is required to issue a formal notice, giving the taxpayer an additional 15 days to comply. If registration is still not completed, the Commissioner may instruct property registration authorities to enforce the bar. Like with bank account suspensions, these restrictions are lifted once the individual fulfills registration requirements.
Tax professionals describe these measures as some of the toughest enforcement tools FBR has deployed in recent years. By linking sales tax registration compliance to access to financial and property rights, the revenue authority is signaling its determination to expand the tax base and address Pakistan’s long-standing challenge of undocumented economic activity.
Officials believe the combination of freezing bank accounts and restricting property transactions will leave little room for businesses or individuals to avoid registration. The government anticipates that this dual strategy will not only improve compliance but also strengthen documentation, enhance transparency, and ultimately contribute to a more sustainable tax system.
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