Large Non-Compliant Sectors Identified as PRA Uncovers Major Tax Evasion by Housing Societies

By Muhammad Shahzad – Lahore, Pakistan

LAHORE: The Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) has uncovered extensive tax evasion and non-compliance across several major sectors, including housing societies, builders, farmhouses, hotels and food chains, during a high-level review meeting chaired by PRA Chairman Moazzam Iqbal Sipra.

Officials briefed the Chairman that a large number of housing societies and builders across Punjab have failed to comply with tax registration and payment requirements. Over 100 farmhouses in Lahore alone were identified as non-compliant.

The PRA also detected significant manipulation in sales records of several well-known hotels, restaurants, marquees and food chains. According to the briefing, multiple entities were found involved in tax misreporting, under-invoicing and suspected fake billing practices.

Chairman Sipra directed the Commissioner Lahore Division to issue immediate notices for registration and recovery of outstanding taxes from all defaulters. He further ordered strict scrutiny of the financial and operational records of hotels, marriage halls, marquees and event management companies.

Officials informed the meeting that vigilance teams have already compiled complete billing records and that enforcement actions will now begin against identified defaulters.

The Chairman instructed all Additional Deputy Commissioners to hold weekly performance reviews to closely monitor revenue targets for the ongoing month, emphasizing that tough action will follow if any entity fails to respond to warning notices.