FBR appeals people to complain if wrongly charged sales tax

ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Saturday urged people to file complaints against businessmen who are charging sales tax without registering themselves under sales tax act.

According to details, FBR has issued a circular which states that general public has reported complaints against the businessmen who are charging sales tax from consumers without being registered with FBR under the Sales Tax Act-1990.

“It is, therefore, clarified that sales tax registration number (STRN) (thirteen digits) is issued to every person who is registered for sales tax purpose and only that person is authorized to change sales tax on his taxable sales except where goods fall under third schedule to the Sales Tax Act-1990,” reads the circular issued by FBR.

The circular clarifies that a business which is not registered for sales tax and does not have an STRN is not authorized to charge sales tax on the invoice.

“It is advised in the public interest that an invoice which does not bear a valid STRN should not include any sales tax amount and if any sales tax amount is indicated, the customer is entitled to demand a sales tax invoice with STRN printed on it,” the circular states.

FBR has further clarified that mentioning of NTN is not a substitute for STRN.

In order to facilitate the general public and providing a check on abuse of system, FBR has installed a special help line for this matter. The consumers’ are encouraged to send the images of such invoices or report the matter to FBR for action on 111-772-772 or email at [email protected].