Islamabad: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has highlighted a growing sentiment among citizens, who are willing to pay higher taxes but are reluctant to interact with tax authorities. Speaking during a review of the Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 a day earlier, at the Senate Standing Committee on Finance held at the Parliament House on Tuesday, the finance minister emphasized the pressing need to restore credibility and trust in tax authorities. “Many people approach us, expressing their willingness to contribute more to the national treasury. However, they prefer not to deal directly with the tax authority. Restoring this trust must begin with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). It’s not sustainable for citizens to avoid interacting with their country’s tax system,” Aurangzeb remarked. The session was chaired by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla and attended by PTI Senators Mohsin Aziz and Shibli Faraz. The committee deliberated on sales tax provisions within the proposed bill, with further discussions scheduled for the next meeting. Under the FBR’s transformation plan, Aurangzeb explained that top priority is being given to rebuilding confidence in the tax system. Technology will play a pivotal role in this transformation, aiming to curb corruption and harassment while broadening the tax base. The minister noted that the Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, seeks to address revenue leakage and under-filing. “The salaried class bears a heavy tax burden, including super tax and CVT on income,” the minister acknowledged. He stressed the importance of rationalizing the tax structure by targeting segments of society that currently evade taxes. “The bill introduces mechanisms to ensure compliance and expand the tax net,” he added.…