Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is likely to remove 19.5 percent sales tax currently applied to fixed and mobile broadband services in the province, it is learnt.
Official sources revealed ProPakistani that Information Technology Board Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has drafted the recommendations and sent to Chief Minister Pervez Khattak for final approval.
According to documents available with ProPakistani, KP Information Technology Board has recommended that the revision on internet taxes may be made on following terms:
“The final plan has been submitted for approval to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for revising the sales tax on internet. After the approval of Chief Minister 19.5 percent sale tax on Internet would be revised”, said Dr. Shahbaz.
MD further said that the proposed revision of tax on internet would help small businesses to flourish in the province. Further, the move would help in encouraging the cellular operators in rolling out 3G and 4G services in the province. He said that recommendations were prepared in consultation with all stakeholders including Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
Punjab has already withdrawn 19.5% sales tax on mobile and wireless internet, fixed line internet and other forms of internet, while Sindh also relieved some of the taxes on internet and telecom.
KP imposed 19.5% taxes on all sorts of Internet (DSL, EVO, 3G, 4G, WiMAX) in 2014.
All the stakeholders including general public, PTA, telecom operators etc were demanding KPK since long for removing tax on broadband internet and data services on mobile phone to give relief to masses.
The mobile operators had written a joint letter to CM Khyber Pakhtunkhwa earlier in June 2015 urging the provincial government to waive off general sales tax (GST) on internet and data services which is slowing down the penetration of 3G and 4G technologies throughout the province.
According to experts tax rate on telecom services in Pakistan is around 40 percent which is one of the highest effective tax rates in the world. In addition to taxes, 19.5% GST on mobile broadband and data services simply adds to the burden on consumers.
https://propakistani.pk/2017/01/04/kp-government-likely-remove-internet-taxes/
Official sources revealed ProPakistani that Information Technology Board Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has drafted the recommendations and sent to Chief Minister Pervez Khattak for final approval.
According to documents available with ProPakistani, KP Information Technology Board has recommended that the revision on internet taxes may be made on following terms:
- Data services to be exempted from sales tax on fixed broadband internet for usage under Rs 2500 per month and for up to 8 megabits per second (Mbps) connections;
- Data services are to be taxed at the existing rate of 19.5 percent sales tax on fixed broadband internet for usage above Rs 2500 per month and for connections above 8 Mbps connections;
- Data services to be exempted of sales tax on mobile broadband internet for usage under Rs 2500 per month.
“The final plan has been submitted for approval to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for revising the sales tax on internet. After the approval of Chief Minister 19.5 percent sale tax on Internet would be revised”, said Dr. Shahbaz.
MD further said that the proposed revision of tax on internet would help small businesses to flourish in the province. Further, the move would help in encouraging the cellular operators in rolling out 3G and 4G services in the province. He said that recommendations were prepared in consultation with all stakeholders including Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
Punjab has already withdrawn 19.5% sales tax on mobile and wireless internet, fixed line internet and other forms of internet, while Sindh also relieved some of the taxes on internet and telecom.
KP imposed 19.5% taxes on all sorts of Internet (DSL, EVO, 3G, 4G, WiMAX) in 2014.
All the stakeholders including general public, PTA, telecom operators etc were demanding KPK since long for removing tax on broadband internet and data services on mobile phone to give relief to masses.
The mobile operators had written a joint letter to CM Khyber Pakhtunkhwa earlier in June 2015 urging the provincial government to waive off general sales tax (GST) on internet and data services which is slowing down the penetration of 3G and 4G technologies throughout the province.
According to experts tax rate on telecom services in Pakistan is around 40 percent which is one of the highest effective tax rates in the world. In addition to taxes, 19.5% GST on mobile broadband and data services simply adds to the burden on consumers.
https://propakistani.pk/2017/01/04/kp-government-likely-remove-internet-taxes/
