Karachi: Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani has announced the launch of the Asaan Tax Scheme, designed to simplify tax procedures for traders and shopkeepers while broadening the country’s tax base. The scheme, which was introduced in response to demands from the business community, aims to provide a streamlined registration process and ease tax compliance.

According to Radio Pakistan: The announcement was made during a meeting in Karachi with representatives from the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as trade and shopkeeper associations from Karachi, Hyderabad, and Sukkur. The scheme features a user-friendly registration process through an Urdu-language online form, catering to local traders.

Under the Asaan Tax Scheme, registered shopkeepers will be subject to a simplified one-percent tax on their declared annual sales turnover. Additionally, any tax deducted via utility bills will remain fully adjustable, providing further ease to the traders. The Minister of State further highlighted that, following directives from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, senior officials from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will spend one week each month in Karachi to address business-related grievances and facilitate traders.