The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has come under scrutiny after sending SMS alerts to income tax filers about their bank balances. The notifications triggered a debate over financial privacy in the Senate.
Senator Asad Qasim raised a notice of concern, saying the FBR’s practice could violate personal financial confidentiality. He noted that some individuals even hide their bank accounts from their spouses, highlighting the sensitivity of the issue.
In response, Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry defended the FBR’s actions, stating that the authority has full legal powers to send such alerts. He emphasized that the SMS notifications were sent only to account holders whose declared tax returns did not match their bank balances.
The minister added that these measures are part of the FBR’s efforts to combat tax evasion. He clarified that the authority is fully operating within the law and cannot ignore discrepancies in taxpayers’ declarations.
The Law Minister stressed that tax evasion is a serious crime. He said the FBR has a responsibility to question taxpayers when inconsistencies appear. These alerts are intended to ensure compliance and prevent undeclared income from going unnoticed.
Following the discussion, the presiding officer referred the matter to the Finance Committee for further review. Lawmakers will examine the privacy concerns raised by SMS notifications and evaluate whether improvements or adjustments are needed.
Experts say that while FBR SMS alerts help detect discrepancies, they also raise questions about the confidentiality of personal financial information. Lawmakers called for a balanced approach that protects taxpayer privacy while maintaining transparency and accountability.
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The Finance Committee’s review is expected to provide recommendations on how the FBR can continue enforcing tax compliance without compromising financial privacy. The debate highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing effective tax enforcement with individual rights.
