The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced a new system aimed at streamlining tax collection within Pakistan’s growing e-commerce sector by implementing sales tax withholding at source for digitally ordered goods. Announced on Wednesday, the initiative assigns the responsibility of collecting and remitting sales tax to intermediaries, including payment intermediaries, courier companies, and online marketplaces, positioning them as withholding agents under the new framework.
To facilitate compliance, the FBR has issued a detailed user manual designed for Payment Intermediaries, Courier Companies, Online Marketplaces, and other relevant stakeholders. The manual outlines the step-by-step process for executing statutory obligations through the Integrated Revenue Information System (IRIS), including the creation of e-payments, generation of Payment Slip IDs (PSID) and Computerized Payment Receipts (CPR), submission of monthly withholding statements, and claiming of admissible input tax credits. This guidance aims to ensure procedural consistency and accuracy across all stages of the withholding process.
Under this system, intermediaries are required to deduct sales tax at source from payments made to suppliers for digitally ordered goods. The mechanism automatically calculates the applicable tax as a percentage of the invoice value provided by the supplier. By centralizing the computation and collection process, the FBR seeks to enhance efficiency, reduce errors, and promote transparency in the e-commerce taxation ecosystem.
Payment intermediaries and courier services are specifically responsible for withholding and reporting sales tax only on the payments they handle or settle directly. Their monthly withholding statements are auto-populated from CPR data generated within the IRIS system, reflecting solely the transactions processed through their networks. This ensures clarity and prevents duplication of reporting.
In contrast, online marketplaces must report the aggregate amount of all transactions conducted on their platforms, including payments processed through both payment intermediaries and courier services. The marketplaces’ monthly statements are generated based on the consolidated data submitted by the intermediaries and courier services, providing a complete view of transactions across the ecosystem. This approach allows marketplaces to manage tax reporting comprehensively while maintaining alignment with intermediary submissions.
The FBR emphasized that the objective of the new system is to empower withholding agents and other stakeholders to manage sales tax obligations with accuracy, efficiency, and transparency. By providing clear guidance and structured processes, the initiative aims to create a reliable, well-coordinated e-commerce taxation framework that supports informed decision-making, reduces compliance risks, and enhances revenue collection.
Analysts note that this development represents a critical step toward formalizing Pakistan’s digital economy, strengthening regulatory oversight, and integrating advanced digital tools into tax administration. As e-commerce continues to grow, the system is expected to standardize tax compliance, reduce disputes, and build trust among businesses and consumers while ensuring that statutory obligations are met consistently and on time.
Overall, the FBR’s withholding at source mechanism marks a significant move toward modernizing taxation in Pakistan’s e-commerce sector, balancing regulatory rigor with operational efficiency, and promoting a transparent and sustainable digital economy.
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