The Asan Tax Scheme registered 9,806 shopkeepers in its first month, including 1,929 first-time entrants to Pakistan’s tax system. However, only 428 participants had completed their tax returns, according to figures presented at a government review meeting.
The registrations represent approximately 0.28% of the government’s target of bringing 3.5 million shopkeepers into the tax net during FY2026-27.
Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani chaired the meeting on Friday, September 25. Trader representatives Ajmal Baloch and Kashif Chaudhry attended alongside senior Federal Board of Revenue officials.
Registrations outpace completed returns
Officials said registered shopkeepers remained at different stages of preparing and submitting their returns. Those who had completed filing included traders from both small and major cities.
The figures distinguish scheme registrations from new additions to the tax system. First-time entrants accounted for approximately 19.7% of registrations, while completed returns represented about 4.4% of total sign-ups.
The government’s nearly 10,000 registration figure therefore does not mean that all participants were previously outside the tax net.
Kayani announced the 3.5 million target in June during the National Assembly’s debate on the federal budget. The government introduced the simplified scheme to encourage small traders to enter the formal tax system.
FBR told to resolve technical problems
Kayani directed the FBR to immediately address technical objections raised by shopkeepers and lawyers over the scheme’s implementation. He also instructed officials to issue FBR plates promptly to shopkeepers who had filed their returns.
“The Asan Tax Scheme is a unique facility designed specifically for shopkeepers and not available to any other business segment,” Kayani said.
He encouraged wider participation, saying shopkeepers had no reason to remain non-filers after the scheme’s launch.
The meeting agreed that traders and FBR officials would maintain daily contact to resolve implementation problems. Authorities will also strengthen engagement with tax bars and lawyers.
Trader representatives pledged cooperation and described the initiative positively. They nevertheless said building awareness among shopkeepers would take time.
App supports registration and filing
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Kayani launched the Retailer Scheme app at FBR headquarters on August 19. The app supports registration and return filing for eligible retailers with annual turnover of up to Rs200 million.
Officials also told Friday’s meeting that authorities had issued an Urdu-language information booklet. It explains the new scheme, the regular return-filing procedure and penalties applicable after the deadline.
They outlined penalties for shopkeepers who fail to pay taxes under either the scheme or the regular procedure by the deadline. The briefing specified Rs10,000 for the first month, Rs25,000 for the second and Rs50,000 for the third.
For now, the first-month figures show a substantial gap between enrolment and completed filings. The government’s immediate priorities include resolving technical problems, expanding trader outreach and helping registered shopkeepers complete their returns.
