FBR introduces Retailer App to bring small traders into tax net

August 19, 2026 (MLN): Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb reaffirmed the government’s commitment to making the tax return process easier for taxpayers, particularly small businesses and salaried individuals, as part of efforts to expand the formal tax base.

Addressing a press conference following the launch of the Retailer Scheme App at the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Muhammad Aurangzeb said the government was working to simplify tax returns for the salaried class and make compliance more convenient.

He said the newly introduced retailer scheme was designed to help small shopkeepers enter the formal tax system through a straightforward process while supporting broader efforts to increase tax compliance and revenue collection.

According to the Finance-Minister, the scheme was developed after consultations with traders and parliamentary committees, with the focus on creating a simple and accessible tax framework without unnecessary complications or harassment.

Muhammad Aurangzeb said small traders had long been seeking an easier income tax mechanism and that the new initiative was structured to give them greater confidence in joining the tax net. He stressed that shopkeepers opting for the scheme would not face harassment after registration.

The minister said broadening the tax base was necessary for establishing a sustainable tax system and bringing all segments of the economy into the formal sector. He added that the new arrangement differentiates between small retailers and larger businesses, while allowing eligible traders to either remain under the regular tax regime or opt for the simplified scheme.

He encouraged traders to benefit from the facility, saying the government was pursuing tax expansion through facilitation and simplification rather than complicated compliance requirements.

Muhammad Aurangzeb added that a wider consultation process had also been initiated with stakeholders to address challenges faced by the trade and business community and strengthen the culture of tax compliance.

Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Bilal Azhar Kayani said the retailer scheme had moved from consultation to implementation with the launch of the dedicated application.

He said the scheme was announced on June 5, followed by work on the digital application and related facilities. Consultations with traders continued for more than three months to identify weaknesses in earlier initiatives and incorporate improvements into the new framework.

Bilal Azhar Kayani said representatives of the trader community, including Ajmal Baloch and Kashif Chaudhary, participated in discussions aimed at making the scheme more practical and easier for small shopkeepers.

He said the application enables retailers to complete registration and tax return filing through a simplified procedure. Retailers with annual turnover of up to Rs200 million can use the facility to become tax filers.

The Asaan Tajir app is available through the Google Play Store and is currently offered in Urdu, while additional regional languages will be introduced later.

Bilal Azhar Kayani said traders who join the scheme by the tax return filing deadline would receive a security-featured registration plate. Those registering after the deadline would also receive the plate, with its estimated cost capped at Rs1,500.

He said the initiative was intended to create a balance between higher tax participation and lower compliance costs for small businesses.

FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial said the application had been designed specifically for small traders and shopkeepers, with the aim of making tax payment easier.

He said registered retailers would receive a bar-coded plate containing their taxpayer details and that tax officials would not be permitted to enter their business premises for investigations.

Trader representatives Ajmal Baloch and Kashif Chaudhary welcomed the initiative, describing the retailer scheme as business-friendly and tailored to the requirements of small traders.

They said traders had been seeking such a simplified mechanism for 27 years and expressed confidence that the new system would enable them to file tax returns without unnecessary hurdles.

The representatives also called for similar transparency and facilitation measures across other government institutions and assured the government of traders’ cooperation in ensuring tax compliance.

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