FAPUASA writes to FM for reversing FBR’s ‘illegal’ letter revoking 25pc tax rebate

Islamabad: Federation of All Pakistan Academic Staff Associations (FAPUASA) has asked the Federal Finance Minister to immediately intervene against the “illegal withdrawal of 25 per cent Tax rebate for full-time teachers and researchers.

In a letter Dr Amjad Abbas Magsi and Dr Muhammad Uzair (President and General Secretary of FAPUASA respectively) expressed their deep concern and disappointment regarding the recent letters issued by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to revoke the 25% tax rebate for full-time teachers and researchers. The FAPUASA leadership said that these letters, issued in the middle of the fiscal year, are not only illogical but also illegal, as they bypass the decisions of the Parliament merely by interpreting of the decision as per their own choice.

Keeping in view that the retaining of 25% tax rebate was officially announced during the budget speech on June 28, 2024, and was included in the proceedings of the National Assembly and part of the income tax manuals of 2022, 2023 and 2024 but suddenly the FBR's unilateral action to overturn this rebate directly contradicts the directives of the National Assembly and undermines the authority of the Parliament.