FBR deploys over 50 officers to monitor production and sales at 21 beverage companies

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has assigned more than 50 Inland Revenue officers to monitor the production and sales of beverages at 21 manufacturing companies across the country, Business Recorder reported. 

The move comes as part of the FBR’s ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with tax regulations. 

Instructions issued to the Chief Commissioner Inland Revenue at the Large Taxpayers Office Lahore indicate that the officers will be stationed at the beverage factories to monitor production activities, sales, and stock levels, in accordance with Section 40B of the Sales Tax Act 1990 and Section 45(2) of the Federal Excise Act 2005.

Under these provisions, the FBR has the authority to deploy Inland Revenue officers at registered business premises to oversee the production and removal of goods, as well as the maintenance of sales records.

The officers have been tasked with providing a detailed report on their findings upon completion of their monitoring duties. The current deployment will remain in effect until June 2, 2025.

Last week, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif directed tax authorities to intensify a crackdown on tax evasion, under-invoicing, and other financial irregularities across multiple sectors. Under this direction, the FBR decided to depute its officers to business premises to enhance tax monitoring under a new amendment.

While chairing a high-level meeting to assess the FBR’s performance, the prime minister was briefed on three amendments introduced to address critical gaps in Pakistan’s tax system. These amendments, implemented through the Tax Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, aim to strengthen the legal, administrative, and enforcement mechanisms within the taxation framework.

The prime minister expressed his full support for the proposed amendments, stating that these changes are intended to ease the process of tax recovery while ensuring legitimate taxpayers are not unduly burdened.