KARACHI: The Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation, Inland Revenue IR has recovered Rs 10.1 million evaded amount of sales tax from the world famous fashion designer Bunto Kazmi.
Sources told Customs Today that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)’s aggressive campaign for broadening the tax base has picked pace in recent months as significant amount of sales tax has been recovered from top fashion designers in Karachi.
‘Various teams have been constituted to keep vigil on the fashion designers by the FBR’s division, Inland Revenue Service (IRS). Significant recovery from various top designers has been made while as many designers are under examination,’ according to insiders.
In a recent period, FBR’s teams have been scrutinized the sales records of various fashion designers’ outlets and boutiques particularly at Tariq Road, Bahadurabad, DHA’s Zamama Street, and in major shopping plaza, sources added.
Country’s top most, internationally acclaimed, elite fashion wear and bridal designer, Bunto Kazmi was the most recent tax offender who came under FBR’s observation and she had to pay more than Rs10 million for evading sales tax in recent past, sources added.
Sources said Ms Kazmi was reluctant to pay short paid amount of taxes at first, but after FRB’s warning of serious action, she agreed to pay least amount of Rs 10.1 million.
FBR special investigation team scrutinized sales record and all available data of Bunto Kazmi’s showroom and after complete examination, the FBR team had asked Ms Kazmi to pay Rs 10.1 million of short paid tax amount but Ms Kazmi didn’t take FBR’s notice seriously and she were trying to settle the matter through her secretary.
According to the sources, the FBR held a series of meetings with the designer before she had agreed to pay short paid tax sources adding that Ms Kazmi making handsome money by selling bridal dresses ranging from Rs 2.5 million to Rs 10 million per dress.