Islamabad, December 18, 2024: The federal government has taken a firm stance against non-filers by introducing the Tax Law Amendment Bill 2024-25 in the National Assembly. Under the proposed amendments, non-filers will face several restrictions including prohibited from purchasing vehicles over 800cc, restricted from acquiring property beyond a specified limit and barring from making stock purchases beyond a certain threshold.
In addition, non-filers will be unable to open bank accounts and will face limits on the number of banking transactions they can perform. However, exceptions will allow non-filers to purchase motorcycles, rickshaws, and tractors.
For non-registered business owners, the bill proposes freezing their bank accounts. If the amendments are approved, non-registered individuals will also be prohibited from transferring property. The government will have the authority to seize the property of non-registered individuals conducting business activities.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will publish a list of non-registered individuals, whose accounts will subsequently be frozen. These measures will come into effect following a federal government notification. Bank accounts will remain frozen, and property transfers will be blocked until the individuals register for sales tax. Accounts will be unfrozen within two days of completing the sales tax registration process.
The proposed amendment allows individuals to appeal to the Chief Commissioner to unfreeze their accounts. Additionally, for the purposes of this bill, parents and children of filers—including children up to 25 years old and spouses—will be considered as filers.
These measures are part of the government’s broader efforts to enhance tax compliance and expand the tax base.
