ISLAMABAD: After finding themselves in hot waters for their tax filings, the members of Pakistan cricket team have requested the finance minister to direct the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to collect outstanding taxes of cricketers at a flat rate of 10 per cent.
National team captain Misbahul Haq along with Test cricketer Azhar Ali met with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on behalf of the national team to discuss matters pertaining to their taxes at the Finance Ministry here.
On the occasion, Misbah thanked Dar for removing cricketers from professional services which would provide major relief to the cricketers in the current fiscal year.
Arguing that cricketers only earn money over a period of five to six years – when they play international cricket. Misbah urged the minister that they should not be placed in the category of professional services.
Appreciating the imposition of flat tax rate of 10 per cent on cricketers for the current fiscal year, Misbah presented the case of clearing pending tax returns of cricketers for the past four years at the flat rate of 10 per cent.
Dar, while stressing on the need for people to pay their taxes, assured the cricketers that genuine concerns will be addressed so that they can focus more on their professional responsibilities.
The meeting was also attended by FBR Chairman Tariq Bajwa, Adviser to Finance Minister Rana Assad Amin and senior officials of the Ministry.