RAWALPINDI:
The Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics Control Department has failed to meet its property tax and professional tax collection targets for the fiscal year 2024-25 across the Rawalpindi Region as the department has only achieved 48% of its target, falling short by a significant 52%.
In contrast, the Motor Branch of the department successfully met its targets in the categories of new vehicle and motorcycle registrations, transfer fees, and token taxes, achieving a remarkable 150% of its revenue target in those areas. Total revenue collection for the Rawalpindi region stood at Rs680 million.
Due to the department’s complete failure in collecting domestic and commercial property taxes, professional taxes, and luxury taxes, the Director General of Excise has ordered the cancellation of weekly Sunday holidays. Starting this Sunday and continuing until the beginning of the new fiscal year, Excise offices will remain open on Sundays to boost revenue recovery.
In a controversial move to increase tax collection, the department has started issuing revised property tax bills by changing the names on previously taxed residential units.
One such case involves Advocate Najma Malik, who reported that despite paying Rs150,000 in property tax under her name, a new notice of Rs157,000 was issued under her husband’s name, based on signage outside the house. She has challenged the new notice with the previous tax receipt.
As part of its ongoing crackdown on defaulters, the department has sealed 241 property units and recovered Rs3.1m in overdue taxes.
Excise Inspectors have been directed to leave their offices and collect taxes directly in the field.
However, with only 12 days remaining before the end of the fiscal year, achieving the collection targets for property tax, luxury tax, and professional tax seems increasingly unlikely, leaving the department far from meeting its financial goals.
