Professional Tax under the Government of Punjab
Professional Tax under the Government of Punjab
Professional Tax is governed by the Punjab Finance Act 1977 and the Punjab Professions and Trade Tax Rules 1977. Under section 1 (3) of the Punjab Finance Act, 1977, this tax is levied and collected on and from persons or classes of persons engaged in a profession, trade, calling, or employment in the Province of Punjab and will be effective on the first day of July.
History of the Professional Tax
According to the Punjab Finance Act, 1964, the professional tax is PKR 30/- for all Professions, Trades, Callings, and Employments, but it was made a proper shape in the Punjab Finance Act, 1977, when 6 categories were defined for the first time. Taxes could be levied up to PKR. 5000/-. As of 1999, the following was the most recent position of the tax:
In the second schedule of the Punjab Finance Act,1977, section 6 dealt with the amendment made to the Limitation Act, 1941, by the Federal Parliament, in accordance with section 2 of the Federal Finance Act, 1999. So the Punjab Government has ceased to assess and collect professional tax, which had been levied on the basis of payable income tax at the rate of 1% under section 6 of the Punjab Finance Act, 1977. The original schedule forming the basis of assessment of professional tax had been reverted back to the previous schedule in line with the amendment made by the Federal Parliament to the Limitation Act of 1941 vide section 2 of the Federal Finance Act of 1999 and subsequent enactment by the Punjab Government to this effect with effect from 01.07.1977 instead of 01.07.1999 in accordance with section 4 of the Federal Finance Act, 2006. The tax on professions, trades, callings, or employment is a provincial levy under Article 163 of the constitution of 1973.
The Punjab Finance Act, 1977 and its second schedule impose professional taxes on all functional establishments/units of businesses/professional activities registered in the province. As a result, it is further submitted that Section 4 of the Federal Finance Act of 2006 gives effect to the said amendment to the Limitation Act of 1941 from 01.07.1977 instead of 01.07.1999. Accordingly, professional tax is charged only up to the limit of PKR. 100,000/- in respect of assesses has been lawfully held valid with effect from 01.07.1977.
Computerized Approach to ETO Professional Tax
There are three steps to Self-Assessment:
Please click the given Link
- Fill in the Form and Click on Print Button
- Take 3 copies of print and deposit into any NBP/SBP branch
Manual Approach to ETO Professional Tax
A Demand/Enrollment Number is issued to the Applicant by ETO Professional Tax on the same day by following the steps:
You need to provide basic information regarding your business and the date of its establishment, as well as the followings:
- Payment Challans (PFT-2) will be issued by ETO Professional Tax for 32-A
- Branches of NBP and SBP in Punjab accept professional tax deposits
- ETO Professional Tax Department should receive a copy of the paid challan
Clearance Certificate Of Professional Tax
- Owner’s application on plain paper
- Copy of CNIC of the applicant
- Proof of payment of Professional Tax up-to-date
Modes of Professional Tax
Each head of Professional Tax is evaluated based on the following criteria:
Companies | On Paid Up Capital |
Factories | On Numbers of Employees |
Commercial Establishments | On Number of Employees except retailers and Wholesalers |
Importers and Exporters | On the Value of Goods Imported or Exported |
Government Contractors | On the Value of Services Given |
Government Property Developers | On the Value of Contract |
Service Providers | Fixed |
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Registered companies with a paid-up capital under the Companies Ordinance, 1984
Class of Persons | Rate of Tax Per annum |
Up to PKR 5 million | PKR. 10,000/- |
Exceeding PKR 5 million but not exceeding PKR 50 million | PKR. 30,000/- |
Exceeding PKR 50 million but not exceeding PKR 100 million | PKR. 70,000/- |
Exceeding PKR 100 million but not exceeding PKR 200 million | PKR. 100,000/- |
Exceeding PKR 200 million | PKR. 100,000/- |
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Ownership of factories by persons other than companies in accordance with the Factories Act of 1932
Class of Company | Rate of Tax Per annum |
Employees not exceeding 10 | PKR. 1500/- |
Employees exceeding 10 but not exceeding 25 | PKR. 5,000/- |
Employees exceeding 25 | PKR. 7,500/- |
Owners of businesses with 10 or more employees other than companies
Class of Persons | Rate of Tax Per annum |
Within Metropolitan and Municipal Corporation limits | PKR. 6,000/- |
Others | PKR. 4,000/- |
All other commercial establishments other than wholesalers and retailers | PKR. 2,000/- |
Persons involved in various professions and providing a variety of services.
Class of Persons | Rate of Tax Per annum |
Medical consultants or specialists/dental surgeons | PKR. 5,000/- |
Registered medical practitioners | PKR. 4,000/- |
Others including Homeopaths, Hakeems, and Ayurvedic | PKR. 3,000/- |
Within Metropolitan and Municipal Corporation limits | PKR. 1,000/- |
Within Metropolitan and Municipal Corporation limits | PKR. 6,000/- |
Others | PKR. 4,000/ |
Consultancy Services for Management and Taxes, Engineering, Technical and Scientific Experts.
Class of Persons | Rate of Tax Per annum |
Within Metropolitan and Municipal, Corporations limit | PKR. 6,000/- |
Others | PKR. 2,000/- |
Lawyers | PKR. 1,000/- |
Members of Stock Exchanges | PKR. 10,000/- |
Importers and exporters of goods who imported or exported goods of the following value during the previous year.
Class of Persons | Rate of Tax Per annum |
Exceeding PKR 1 lac but not exceeding PKR 1 million | PKR. 2,000/- |
Exceeding PKR 1 million but not exceeding PKR 5 million | PKR. 3,000/- |
Exceeding PKR 5 million | PKR. 5,000/- |
An individual practicing a profession, trade, calling, or employment either completely or partially within Punjab Province was assessed to pay income tax during the prior financial year PKR. 200/-. During the preceding financial year, contractors, builders, and property developers who supplied goods, commodities, and services to a Federal or Provincial government, a company, a factory, a commercial establishment, or an autonomous or semi-autonomous organization or a local authority are liable to pay the income tax.
Class of Persons | Rate of Tax Per annum |
Not exceeding PKR 1 million | PKR. 1,000/- |
Exceeding PKR 1 million but not exceeding PKR 10 million | PKR. 6,000/- |
Exceeding PKR 10 million but not exceeding PKR 50 million | PKR. 10,000/- |
Exceeding PKR 50 million | PKR. 20,000/- |
For money changers:
Class of Company | Rate of Tax Per annum |
Within Metropolitan and Municipal Corporation limits | PKR. 6,000/- |
Others | PKR, 2,000/- |
MotorCycle/Scooter dealers:
Class of Company | Rate of Tax Per annum |
Within Metropolitan and Municipal Corporation limits | PKR. 10,000/- |
Others | PKR. 6,000/- |
Motor Vehicle Dealers and Real Estate Agents
Class of Company | Rate of Tax Per annum |
Within Metropolitan and Municipal Corporation limits | PKR. 20,000/- |
Others | PKR. 10,000/- |
Recruiting Agents
Class of Company | Rate of Tax Per annum |
Within Metropolitan and Municipal Corporation limits | PKR. 20,000/- |
Others | PKR. 10,000/- |
Carriage of Goods and Passengers by Road
Class of Company | Rate of Tax Per annum |
Within Metropolitan and Municipal Corporation limits | PKR. 4000/- |
Others | PKR. 2,000/- |
Health Clubs, Gymnasiums & Others
Class of Company | Rate of Tax Per annum |
Within Metropolitan and Municipal Corporation Limits | PKR. 4,000/- |
Others | PKR. 2,000/- |
Jewellers, Departmental Stores, Electronic Goods Stores, Cable Operators, Printing Presses, and Pesticide Dealers | PKR. 2,000/- |
Tobacco Vendors – Wholesalers | PKR. 4,000/- |
Franchisee, Authorized Dealers/Agents and distributers | PKR. 5,000/- |
Property Developer/Builders & Marketing Agent/Company engaged in the development marketing and management of residential, commercial, or industrial. | PKR. 50,000/- |
Hotels, Hostels (except hostels owned and operated by an educational institute by itself) /Guest House/ Motels/Resorts providing loader facility | PKR. 5,000/- |
Restaurants / Eateries / Fast Food Point / Ice Cream Parlors / Bakeries / Confectioners / Sweet Shops with air conditioner facility | PKR. 5,000/- |
Taxing from a person engaged in more than one profession
Whenever a person is engaged in more than one profession, trade, calling, or employment, he must pay the tax under section 3 (2) of the Punjab Finance Act 1977 only in respect of one such profession, trade, calling, or employment.
The procedure of Survey
Surveys were conducted primarily by personal visits by the Inspector to the allotted circles, which is a conventional, but very authentic, source of survey and is still in use due to the mobility of the units. Recently, however, new methods have been adopted.
- Directory of Industrial Establishments Punjab
- Yellow Pages
- SECP List of registered companies
- Lists from Chamber of Commerce
- Lists from Educational Departments etc.
- Serving of Notices
Below are the three types of initial notices sent to assessees:
First Notice
For the assessment of tax under section 3 of Punjab Finance Act 1977, as amended in 1999 and 2000, the assessee is required to provide the following information and documents within the above-mentioned timeframe.
- Date of opening of the office with documentary evidence
- Photocopy of incorporation certificate if it is an incorporated company
- Paid-up capital of the company with documentary evidence i.e. form “A” acknowledged by SECP
- Value of import/export during the years to be taxed with documentary evidence (P-Copy of Income Tax Returns for the said years)
- Year-wise value of work done/Services/Supplied goods to the Federal/Provincial/Semi-Government department or a company or a Factory or a commercial establishment or an autonomous or semi-autonomous or semi-autonomous organization or any local authority, with documentary evidence
- Number of employees
- Ist and last income tax returns acknowledged by Income Tax Department
- Professional Tax receipts if paid any during last years
Second Notice
A reminder of the first notice, which expired on the specified date.
Third Notice
The assessee is reminded of the above two notices and has a final opportunity to be heard. Additionally, some Special Notices are served.
Final Call Notice
Punjab Profession & Trade Tax Rules 1977, Section 4 (2), gives the Assessing Authority District Excise & Taxation Officer the right to decide a matter exparte on maximum taxation with 100% penalty.
Demand Notice
Under Section 6 of the Punjab Professions and Trade Tax Rules 1977, demand notice is issued against assesses who are already assessed or exparte, within 30 days of serving the notice to the assessee. If the taxpayer fails to pay the assessed tax, the following procedure is adopted under the Land Revenue Act, 1967, via Section 6 of the Punjab Finance Act, 1977. Preliminary notice before arrest warrants or attachments under section 81/82 of the Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1967.
Arrest Warrants
Attachment orders under the Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1967
The appeal in Case of Objection
Within 30 days of receiving the assessment, the assessee can appeal to the Director Excise & Taxation pursuant to section 4 (3) of the Punjab Profession & Trade Tax Rules, 1977, and the Appellate Authority can order to charge the whole tax or refund it.
Demand Register
Under Section 11 of Punjab Professions & Trade Tax Rules, 1977, all the paid amounts, as well as arrears, are recorded in Form P.F.T-3 in respect of all assessed units.
Taxing Year
According to section 1 (3) of the Punjab Finance Act, 1977, the taxing year runs from 1st July to 30th June (fiscal year).
Payment Duration
Before the 31st day of August of every calendar year, every person liable to pay the tax must provide to the District and Taxation Officer his name, address, occupation, or trade calls.
Crediting of Amount
The tax shall be credited to the nearest treasury in Form P.R.T-2 or the amount shall be sent to the District Excise and Taxation Officer by a postal order or by cheque drawn on State Bank of Pakistan, National Bank of Pakistan, or any other bank having clearing accounts with any of these banks.
Deleting of Demand
Taxpayers who cease to engage in a trade, profession, employment, or calling on which they are liable to pay tax shall notify the District Excise and Taxation Officer, under section 10 of the Punjab Professions & Trade Tax Rules, 1977, within 30 days of discontinuing such trade, profession, employment or calling.
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