Sindh Revenue Board cracks down on tax evasion in cosmetic & dental surgery sector

KARACHI: In response to the ongoing crackdown on tax evasion within the cosmetic and dental surgery sector, the Pakistan Dental Association (PDA) Karachi chapter held a pivotal meeting with the Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) to address concerns raised by dental professionals and propose collaborative solutions.

The meeting, held at the SRB head office, was attended by key PDA officials including Prof. Dr. Navid Rashid, President of PDA Karachi, and Dr. Wasif Ali, Chairman SRB, along with senior members from both organizations. The agenda focused on simplifying SRB’s registration and tax return processes for dentists, addressing practitioner concerns, and building constructive engagement between SRB and the dental community.

PDA Karachi urges simplification of SRB procedures

PDA Karachi raised the issue of complex registration and frequent issuance of notices, urging the SRB to consider easing procedures—particularly for small or single-chair dental practices. Prof. Dr. Navid Rashid proposed that a reduced tax rate be considered for such clinics to avoid burdening low-volume service providers.

SRB clarifies tax scope and return frequency

Responding to concerns, Chairman SRB Dr. Wasif Ali clarified that only aesthetic dental procedures—such as veneers, implants, and smile makeovers—fall under the taxable category as per Tariff Heading 9842.0000. He added that the return filing period had already been relaxed to a six-monthly basis, and that only 150 aesthetic dental surgeons in Karachi were currently registered with the board and even they do not pay taxes on time.

PDA to organize awareness seminar

In a proactive move, Dr. Feroz Jahangir, General Secretary of PDA Karachi, proposed organizing a joint seminar in collaboration with SRB to educate dental professionals about the tax registration process, its legal implications, and the benefits of compliance. SRB welcomed the idea and agreed to support the initiative, reiterating its preference for voluntary registration and cooperation over enforcement where possible.

Call for partnership, not punishment

PDA emphasized its willingness to serve as a bridge between the dental community and the SRB, encouraging practitioners to register and comply. The association requested SRB to refrain from issuing direct notices, allowing PDA time to engage non-compliant members and facilitate their registration through mutual trust and awareness.

Highlighting tax disparity

During the discussion, the SRB Chairman acknowledged that while prominent institutions like Alvi Dental and Altamash Dental Hospital are among the top contributors, the overall tax contribution from the broader dental sector remains disproportionately low.

Towards constructive tax culture

The meeting concluded on a positive and solution-oriented note, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to promoting a transparent, simplified, and supportive tax culture among dental professionals in Sindh.

This meeting marks a significant step towards building trust and accountability between regulatory bodies and healthcare professionals. As tax compliance becomes a growing concern across high-value services, such collaborative efforts may serve as a model for other sectors.