ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Pakistani Social media influencers who are famous for posting luxury lifestyles on their social media accounts came under fire when the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) launched a crackdown.
Although some users have tried to erase incriminatory posts, sources within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) affirm that the agency already has the information it needs as it ramps up its efforts to crack down on those who are parading luxurious lifestyles on social media but reporting low taxable income.
They state that the individuals who live in luxury but pay little or no taxes will now be under strict observation. FBR authorities cautioned that people who keep posting proofs of lavish spending, such as international travel, expensive cars, brand gear, and upmarket parties, on social media should do a rethink before doing so.
The tax department is paying close attention to more than 100,000 social media profiles on various platforms to see where reported income and auditable expenditures may not match.
Sources revealed that the FBR has finalized four fresh tax evasion cases against social media users from Rawalpindi, Lahore, Bahawalpur, and Islamabad. “In all cases, declared income and the apparent level of expenditure do not match,” an FBR source revealed.
The crackdown has even reached the son of a high-level South Punjab politician, whose case has allegedly been closed. After investigations, these cases will be presented to the relevant courts for proceedings.
The agency’s Intelligence and Investigation Directorate is spearheading the countrywide operation, drafting an average of three to four cases against tax evasion every day, FBR sources revealed. Officials expect the first fruits of this campaign to come in a month.
In order to authenticate hidden assets, the FBR is also gathering expense reports from wedding halls, designers of wedding dresses, and beauty parlors to monitor expenditure on high-profile social affairs.
