FBR Reconstitutes Single Portal Committee to Strengthen Data Privacy, Return Filing

The federal government and provinces will take measures for the development of data privacy and security of provincial taxpayers under the “Single Portal” of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Provincial Revenue Authorities/Boards. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has reconstituted the “Single Portal Committee” of the federation and provinces for the filing of Sales Tax Returns by taxpayers falling within the jurisdiction of the four Provincial Revenue Authorities/Boards. The FBR’s notification revealed that, in pursuance of the decision taken by the Members of the Federal Board of Revenue and the four Provincial Revenue Authorities (PRAs) during the Tax Round Table Meeting, and with reference to the earlier notifications, the Single Portal Committee is hereby reconstituted. The Members from the FBR include Aamer Amin Bhatti (IRS-BS20) and Zain ul Abidin Sahi (IRS-BS20). The Punjab Revenue Authority Member is Salman Zafar (Director IT). The Sindh Revenue Board’s Member is Abdul Hameed Memon, Senior Member (Operations-I). Memon had worked as a senior Inland Revenue official at FBR Headquarters. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Revenue Authority Member is Abdur Raziq (Additional Collector, KPRA). Ethesham ul Haq (Member Ops II) and Fahad Shabir (Commissioner Ops II) will be members from the Balochistan Revenue Authority. Under the terms of reference (TORs) of the Committee, the Committee will discuss the readiness, actions, and operational arrangements required for the rollout of the Single Portal for the filing of Sales Tax Returns across all sectors and jurisdictions. The Committee may co-opt or consult any resource from FBR, PRAs, PRAL, or other stakeholders, as and when required. Committee Members will decide the following issues with respect to the Single Return filed in more than one jurisdiction: The Committee Members will be supported by the Pakistan Raises Revenue Program Office, FBR (HQ), Islamabad, for coordination and communication, and the convening of meetings as per the schedule desired by the Committee.