Property tax on open plots in Lahore?

[Nabs]

I have a 4 kanal empty plot in rural outskirt of Lahore which I bought 8 years ago. Today I received a notice from some tax guy that there is property tax on open plots on annual basis and I have to pay 300,000 property tax every year since 2016. I was not aware that there is property tax on plots? When did this happen, or is it fraud? 3 Lakh tax on rural empty plot per year sounds implausible.

[anon35615524]

Brother I would suggest to confirm it from the concerned department(s); FBR to be precise.

[capsat]

I received a notice from some tax guy that there is property tax

property tax is ambit of Provincial excise dept. Vacant plots have different tax slabs compared to builtup self occupied property.

property owner is responsible for payment of property tax, tenants normally tear or burn away such notices under impression that owner will ask them to contribute.

do not ignore visit and sort it officially.

[Nabs]

Already checked that website, there is no mention of property tax on plots. Only building tax is mentioned.

[qwertypoiu]

Throw it away, dont reply just submit your returns without accounting for that. If it’s serious notice they will follow up if not you will never hear again.

These notices are trumped up useless ones, i keep getting notice on my house aswell but till now it was exempt from tax and now its 10-30k they would also send me 200k as they would put in assumptions like rental income with be this much so tax is this.. 2 years we explained to them and later on we kept throwing it away

If not be to safe consult a tax lawyer

[Nabs]

A relative is a high court bar lawyer, I asked for his help. He called on the phone number of taxman mentioned on the notice. After the introduction the taxman said "sir ghalti se ziada tax likh dia hai, jab kabhi milain gain to baat ho gi, tax notice ko ignore ker dain."

So it was a clear extortion trick to earn bribes by tax official. I have never received such extortion notice before. So Naya Pakistan seems to be worse than purana Pakistan.

[capsat]

we have a plot of approx 12 marlas with boundary around over the bund road area, and an annual property tax of 4 digits is paid either when the notice is pasted at the gate or handed over to watchman.

Sarkari Khata does not forget, it keeps on multiplying & adding penalties for default as well.

[VCheng]

Sarkar can have convenient amnesia when suitably "motivated".

[capsat]

it has become tricky since land records are computerised. All tax notices / payment challans issued when paid are updated live over the portal from the designated banks. but like we all know the babu at desk can guide you how to exploit loop hole if he is treated nicely

[humayoun.mussawir]

Every successful, strong, and thriving country is based on its taxes system. To stabilize your country’s economy, you should pay your taxes on time. Most business tycoons and rich people firstly build up their properties and companies, and when it comes to paying your tax. They just went to other countries. That is where Pakistan is facing deficiency and not becoming prominent as it deserves to be.

Are you paying your tax?

Being a responsible citizen, paying your property tax in Pakistan ​should be your priority. It will work as your contribution to raising your economy and development of Pakistan. Hiding your property in order not to pay their taxes is considered to be a crime by law.

[capsat]

Pakistan’s Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs)

Pakistan’s Anti-Money Laundering Act now includes obligations that apply to DNFBPs. This includes lawyers and law firms, notaries, other legal professionals, accountants and accounting firms, when they provide certain services to client, real estate agents including brokers and dealers, builders and developers, housing authorities, as well as dealers in precious metals and stones including jewellers when conducting cash transactions over 2 million rupees. The accounting and legal sectors are also subject to AML/CFT, rules when they provide trust and company services for clients.

https://download1.fbr.gov.pk/Docs/2021113010115821779ConditionCircular01of2021-housing.pdf

2021113010115821779ConditionCircular01of2021-housing.pdf (744.5 KB)