Islamabad – The government has taken a significant step towards tightening its grip on non-filers with the introduction of the Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill 2024-25 in the National Assembly.

The proposed amendment seeks to impose stringent restrictions on non-filers, including a ban on purchasing vehicles over 800cc and limitations on acquiring property beyond a specified value. Additionally, non-filers will be prohibited from purchasing shares beyond a certain threshold.

The bill also includes provisions preventing non-filers from opening bank accounts and restricting them from conducting excessive bank transactions. However, they will still be allowed to purchase motorcycles, rickshaws, and tractors. Non-registered businesses will face the freezing of their bank accounts.

If approved, the amendment will prevent non-registered business owners from transferring property, with the government authorized to seize such assets. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will publish a list of accounts that have been frozen under this law.

The new measures will come into effect following a federal government notification. Non-registration for sales tax will result in frozen bank accounts and restrictions on property transfers for those individuals. Bank accounts will be frozen within two days of failing to complete sales tax registration.

Once the amendment is passed, individuals affected by frozen accounts will have the right to appeal to the Chief Commissioner. In a significant move, the amendment also includes provisions that count the parents, children (up to 25 years old), and spouses of filers as filers themselves for tax purposes.