F.P. Report
PESHAWAR: Business community has expressed serious reservations over imposition professionals’ tax and traders calling taxes on trading community and termed it as illegal and double taxation, demanding of provincial government to immediate withdraw it.
In a press statement issued here on Wednesday, Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry president FaizMuhamamdFaizi said that the imposition of traders calling and professionals’ taxes on traders was unjust step of the provincial government.
He termed that traders are backbone of economy, having their active contribution in national and provincial exchequer through payment of direct and indirect taxes despite the unfair policies of the government forcing them to shut their businesses.
SCCI chief justified that the Professionals, like doctors, lawyers, Chartered Accountants, barbers, beauticians and others are not dealing to sell any commodity or merchandise as compared to traders so, calling them as professionals unfair.
Faiz Muhammad asked the provincial government to refrain from imposing unilateral policy and decision in shape of new taxes on the traders’ community, otherwise, he warned that the traders will compel to take extreme steps to survive their businesses.
SCCI chief said that business community has generated hefty revenue to both federal and provincial exchequer on head of income tax, sale tax, property, trade tax and other taxes, which have also created employment for a large number of people. He informed that the trade tax is already being collected by district administrations from traders, so he added that the double taxation was unacceptable to them.
Instead of provide relief to traders, the chamber president criticized that government was taking irrational steps, which could damage businesses and trigger joblessness in the province and asked it to review its decision and facilitate the business community to give boost to trade and economic activities.
He also complained about harassing and pressurizing the traders by the excise department to meet their revenue targets instead of taking measures to expand the existing tax-base. He said the policy was created great unrest among the business community, which must be changed and rectified in best interest of economy and businesses.
SCCI chief stressed the need for categorisation of the professionals by making proper consultation with members of the business community and relevant stakeholders.
