ISLAMABAD, Oct 10: The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) on Monday announced exemption of income tax on donations given to the President’s Relief Fund for earthquake victims.

The decision was notified through an income tax notification by amending the income tax law 2001. It was clarified that such donations were straightway deductible from the total income.

The donations for the earthquake victims given to approved non-profit organizations (NGOs) already enjoying relief in tax liability by way of tax credit (rebate).

Through another notification, goods donated for the relief of earthquake victims have also been exempted from collection of income tax at import stage. It was clarified that such exemptions were earlier available on case-to-case basis and have now been given blanket exemption to facilitate the clearance of relief goods.

In a letter, all collectors of customs have been instructed by the CBR to ensure maximum support, assistance and immediate clearance facility to all in-coming relief goods from foreign countries and the foreign teams visiting Pakistan for rehabilitation work.

The board advised the collectors that even in case of any technical or procedural lacunas in the clearance of goods, the goods must be released immediately, without any fail, and the matter was forwarded to the board for regularization.

Meanwhile, a board-in-council meeting headed by CBR chairman M. Abdullah Yousuf, special medical teams comprising officers and staff of Central Board of Revenue and its field offices, having medical degree or previous para-medical experience, had been formed for carrying out relief activities in the affected areas.

Two teams were going to Manshera and Abbottabad with medical and first aid supplies. Income Tax Offices at both the places had been converted into Medical Centres and control room for all the medical teams.

Centre for collection of relief goods had been established at CBR House, Islamabad and the Commissionerates/Colectorates at Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Lahore, Gujranwala and Rawalpindi.

General Public and in particular the CBR and its field offices employees were requested to kindly come forward with the relief goods in the nearest collection centre. Effective arrangements for transportation and distribution of such relief goods had been made.