RAWALPINDI, July 4: CBR Member Sales Tax Shahid Ahmad has defended the imposition of 15 per cent sales tax on computer hardware in the budget and said the measure was aimed at protecting the local computer industry.

He said that CBR has already withdrawn 5 per cent custom and 6 per cent withholding tax on computers but computer assemblers would have to pay 5 or 6 per cent extra tax as per decision taken in the new budget.

Addressing the executives and members of Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, here on Tuesday, Mr Ahmad said that Rs239 billion has been collected against sales tax and contributed to the revenue of CBR, which exceeded to Rs690 billion. There was an increase of Rs17 billion in sales tax against the target.

“We have achieved 30 per cent growth in domestic sales tax as CBR has been achieving its set target continuously for the last three years. For this credit must be given to traders and business community,” he said.

He said the sales tax department has paid Rs32 billion in refund cases. Continuing its reforms, CBR was introducing one- window-like Integrated Tax Management System (ITMS) software, which would allow any taxpayer to obtain information about customs, income and sales tax, he added.