Flat Tax on National Savings Certificates Alarms Investors

The Fede­ral Board of Revenue (FBR) on Saturday declared some changes in the rate of withholding tax on profit of national savings schemes (NSS) certificates to increase the burden on investors and discourage investment.

The circular, which has been effective from July 1, states that a withholding tax (WHT) of 15% on Active Taxpayers List (ATL) and 30% on non-ATL individuals will be applicable on saving certificates.

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After imposition of new tax, an investor has to pay Rs 15,000 as WHT on profit of Rs 100,000.

Previously, the rate of WHT was 10% for profit up to Rs 500,000 for filers and 20% for non-filers.

Revised rates of WHT on NSS w.e.f. 1st July,2021 pic.twitter.com/8yio3sdOVA

— National Savings (@savingsgovpk) July 3, 2021

The Central Directorate of National Savings (CDNS) said in a statement, “The person not appearing into active taxpayers list, the rate of tax required to be deducted or collected as maybe shall be increased by 100% of the rate specified in the first schedule of the said ordinance”.

The newly implied revision would impact the NSS investors as almost 98% don’t exist on ATL, which means that they will have to pay 30% on their monthly profits.

Commenting on the new tax rates, CDNS ex-Director General (DG) Zafar Sheikh said, “It is an utterly unjustified move of the government because small investors would not be able to become filers in the complex tax system”.

Sources listed down some reasons behind the revised decision as the government prohibited all kinds of institutional funds since July last year and discontinued various prize bonds.