Taxation: Doctrine of mutuality
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq It is an established principle that what is not “income” under the income tax law cannot be taxed, and where there is no sale of “goods” or providing and rendering of services between two…
Guilty, until proven innocent?
Huzaima Bukhari “O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both. So follow…
FBR’s quest for in-house cleaning
Dr. Ikramul Haq According to a Press release, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) issued terms of references (ToRs) for Integrity Management Cell (IMC). According to the ToRs, the IMC will be headed by a grade 21/22 officer of Inland Revenue Service…
To act or not to act!
Huzaima Bukhari “One of the things about acting is it allows you to live other people’s lives without having to pay the price”—Robert De Niro For human beings, the mere thought of being deprived of entertainment is enough to cast…
Rich legislators of poor nation
Dr. Ikramul Haq In democracy, direct taxes play an important role for equitable wealth distribution. The Parliament enjoys exclusive power to levy taxes and citizens pay these under social contract for general welfare of all. Being elected representatives of people,…
Pro-people laws, insensitive legislators
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq Raising the living standard and socio-economic uplift of industrial workers is the cornerstone of the Government policy, which is being achieved by providing the basic and other social amenities of life to workers in…
Achievements & challenges on fiscal front
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq It is heartening to note that despite the challenges faced by economy due to Covid-19 endemic, followed by complete and partial lockdowns till now and contraction in imports, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)…
Higher rates, lower collection & amnesties
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq This is the last part of the series highlighting vital non-disclosures in its various publications on the part of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). In the last two articles, Sales tax collection, TNS, Political…
Innovations in justice delivery
Dr. Ikramul Haq In early columns, the need for merging existing tax tribunals into National Tax Tribunal or National Tax Court was discussed in detail for speedy disposal of cases. We must also move towards e-Tribunals and e-Courts using modern…