“Services” & immovable property income taxation
Flagrant Constitutional violationsHuzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul HaqThe taxation of “services” mentioned in section 153(1)(b) of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 [“the Ordinance”] with effect from tax year 2020 is subjected to “minimum tax regime” in cases where tax is…
Unconstitutional income taxation
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul HaqThe coalition government of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) in its very first budget for finance year 2019-20, through Finance Act, 2019, imposed ‘minimum tax regime’ for certain class of taxpayers along with tax on normal income,…
Taxing the poor, favouring the rich
Dr. Ikramul HaqThe shrinking share of direct taxes in overall collection is a serious cause of concern. It is now well-established that there is a direct link between growing poverty in Pakistan and distortion in tax base since 1991-92, when…
Professionally qualified bride
Huzaima Bukhari“It is not the hand that rocks the cradle that rules the world; it is the woman that holds the keys to the kingdom”—Shannon L. AlderA matrimonial agent questions a typical Pakistani wannabe mother-in-law (Mrs. X) wanting to arrange…
Taxation: Doctrine of mutuality
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul HaqIt 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 persons,…
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 not…
FBR’s quest for in-house cleaning
Dr. Ikramul HaqAccording 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 (IRS)…
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 NiroFor human beings, the mere thought of being deprived of entertainment is enough to cast them into…
Rich legislators of poor nation
Dr. Ikramul HaqIn 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, legislators…