TAXING the already taxed is absolutely absurd and unfair. If the Federal Board of Revenue is so hard up, it should stop every vehicle of 1800cc and above and ascertain whether their owners are paying taxes.

Similarly, the FBR officials can visit every house built on a plot measuring 400 square yards and above to check whether the owner/tenant is a taxpayer. The FBR should also ascertain the source of income of parents whose children are attending expensive private schools and foreign universities.

It should also identify the source of income of non-filers who undertake frequent pleasure trips to foreign lands. Last but most important, in the real estate business, there is no check on the income/commission of the dealer, which in most cases is undocumented. This source should also be tapped for taxation.

Tax payers demand that instead of harassing existing income tax filers, the FBR should justify their hefty pay checks and go after non-filers and non-taxpayers. I assure all and sundry the FBR will collect billions in tax.

Name withheld on request

Islamabad

Published in Dawn, December 15th, 2018