FBR traces 10,000 people involved in tax evasion

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) investigations have disclosed about 10,000 people were allegedly involved in tax evasion.

According to FBR officials, during investigation of their cash transactions, the department traced about 10,000 people, who allegedly involved in tax evasion in the country.

During the departmental investigation, the officials are also checking into affairs of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and International non-governmental organizations (INGOs) for their alleged involvement in money laundering and other illegal activities.

FBR officials revealed that they have so far received multiple complaints of alleged money laundering and terror financing. They added that the department has already started investigations against 36 to 40 of those cases.

In order to fulfill with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) conditions, the FBR has been interrogating cases of several alleged tax evasion, money laundering and terror financing across the country.

Directorate General of Intelligence & Investigation (I&I) Inland Revenue has initiated a campaign against money launders and tax evaders.

Initial investigation suggests that some entities have been using cash to avoid taxes. However, the official clarified that the bureau is mainly probing those cases of cash transactions that run in billions of rupees by an individual paying meager amount of tax or unregistered persons suspected to be involved in terror financing may be subjected to Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Act 2010.

The FBR notified that all such cases would be tackled with heed to make sure that innocent individuals are not subjected to any redundant investigations.