The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has taken a significant step to discourage the outflow of foreign exchange reserves by raising the withholding tax (WHT) on payments to non-resident individuals through debit and credit cards. The move aims to curtail the substantial impact of such payments on the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
The FBR recently issued Circular Number 2 of 2023, which outlines the amendments to the Finance Act 2023. As per the circular, the Finance Act 2022 had introduced section 236Y, subjecting payments to non-residents through debit/credit cards to a 1 per cent withholding tax rate for Active Taxpayer List (ATL) persons and 2 per cent for Non-ATL persons.
However, considering the considerable foreign exchange outflows resulting from these transactions, the FBR has implemented a drastic increase in withholding tax rates through the Finance Act 2023. According to The News, for ATL persons, the withholding tax rate has been elevated from 1 per cent to 5 per cent, and for Non-ATL persons, it has been raised from 2 per cent to 10 per cent. This means a fourfold increase in tax rates for both categories of taxpayers as well as non-filers.
According to estimates shared by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) with parliamentarians before the 2023-24 budget, monthly payments made through credit cards or debit cards amounted to approximately $70 to $100 million, resulting in an annual outflow of around $1 billion.
In line with the Finance Bill, the FBR has been granted powers under Section 236Y to levy advance tax on individuals remitting amounts abroad through credit, debit, or prepaid cards. As per the Finance Bill 2022, the proposed advance tax rate on such remittances was set at 1 per cent of the gross amount remitted abroad.
The implementation of the increased withholding tax is expected to have a considerable impact on curbing unnecessary foreign exchange outflows and strengthening the country’s forex reserves. It also serves as a measure to encourage individuals to transact responsibly and ensure the stability of the country’s economic landscape.
As the FBR takes these steps to address forex challenges, stakeholders and taxpayers await the outcomes and potential adjustments in the overall economic landscape. The move also highlights the government’s efforts to strike a balance between promoting foreign investments and managing capital outflows to ensure sustainable economic growth in the country.
