Govt to Ban Non-Filers From Buying Property and Cars in Next IMF Budget

The 2025-26 budget will impose a ban on non-filers from purchasing property and vehicles. Sources told ProPakistani that restrictions are being considered on their ability to carry out financial transactions. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has confirmed that the upcoming budget will tighten, not ease, conditions for non-filers. Work is also in progress to entirely eliminate the “non-filer” category from the tax system, a move aligned with IMF demands to enhance the tax base and ensure compliance. The IMF was briefed that the trader-friendly schemes previously introduced failed to meet their revenue targets. However, officials reported encouraging outcomes from the recent increase in withholding tax on unregistered shopkeepers. As a result, the number of registered filers among traders and wholesalers has risen by 51 percent. To further improve enforcement, authorities are analyzing third-party data on tax defaulters and have begun implementing structural reforms. The FBR has activated its Compliance Risk Management System in major cities including Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore. This system has also been extended to corporate tax units.