Karachi, November 9, 2024 – The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) expressed its strong opposition on Saturday to the recent reinstatement of the affidavit requirement for filing sales tax returns. KCCI President Muhammad Jawed Bilwani sharply criticized the move, demanding the immediate suspension of the affidavit mandate until substantial consultations with stakeholders have been conducted and effective alternatives identified. Bilwani emphasized that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) had previously acknowledged the problematic nature of this requirement by temporarily suspending it for September 2024. At the time, the FBR issued a press release confirming that the affidavit would not be required for that tax period and pledged to engage with stakeholders to gather proposals for addressing the persistent issue of fraudulent sales tax claims. The FBR had committed to exploring these stakeholder suggestions until October 31, with the aim of finding a balanced approach. However, Bilwani lamented that, despite this assurance, no consultations have occurred, nor have any viable alternative solutions been examined. “This unilateral decision disregards the overwhelming pressures already faced by the business community,” Bilwani asserted, highlighting the growing operational challenges for businesses. He criticized the requirement as an added burden that introduces unnecessary bureaucracy and creates an atmosphere of intimidation for businesses trying to comply with the law. The affidavit obligation, according to Bilwani, places unreasonable demands on taxpayers and their chief…