Overseas Pakistanis can now buy property as filers: FBR

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has announced that the rate of advance income tax on the purchase and sale of immovable properties by overseas Pakistanis would be the “filer rate” even if they are “non-filers.”

FBR issued frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the tax rates on buying and selling of immovable properties by overseas Pakistanis.

To note, for overseas Pakistanis, the rate of advance income tax on purchase and sale of immovable properties under sections 236C and 236K shall be “filer rate” even if they are “non-filer” subject to the following conditions:

1. They are holding a Pakistan Origin Card (POC) or a National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP).
2. They are non-resident in Pakistan meaning their stay in a financial year in Pakistan is less than 183 days.

Meanwhile, the advance income tax under sections 236C and 236K at the time of transfer of immovable properties differ depending on the fair market value of the immovable properties.

Moreover, FBR notes the status of a person who has filed their income tax return, while a person who filed late or did not file at all.

According to FBR, the overseas Pakistanis who are holding POC or NICOP can avail of “filer rate” under sections 236C and 236K by following the procedure:

1. The concerned Authority, Registrar or a housing Society who is responsible for registering, transferring or recording the immovable property shall click on the “Overseas Pakistanis” link on FBR’s web portal to create a payment slip identity (PSID).
2. The system shall redirect the person to a form to declare his POC or NICOP No and the system will fetch automatically his details such as name and address; upload a scanned copy of his POC or NICOP; and his status as “resident” or “non-resident” and can upload documents in support thereof.
3. The system shall digitally make the PSID available in the IRIS digital inbox of the concerned Commissioner for approval.
4. The Commissioner shall verify the documents attached, approve after verification and inform the person who created PSID by email and SMS.

FBR added that the system shall let the person make payment of advance income tax at “filer rate” despite being a “non-filer.”