FBR Appoints 34 Banks as Sweep Agents for Online Tax Payments

Islamabad:The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has implemented the online tax payment system and designated 34 banks, including the State Bank of Pakistan and the Zarai Taraqiati Bank (ZTB), as **Sweep Agents**. These banks will now be responsible for the collection of taxes through an online system.

In collaboration with provincial revenue authorities, FBR has expanded the scope of the **Single Sales Tax Return** to include **microfinance banking** and the **oil and gas sector**.

According to an FBR notification, these 34 banks will deduct withholding tax through online payment systems and remit the amounts to the national treasury. The designated banks, including both **public** and **private** banks, will use the **Sweep Portal** for tax deductions, which must be deposited into the treasury in accordance with the FBR’s specified guidelines.

FBR has introduced a new integrated system, **ePayment 2.0**, to streamline the tax payment process. This new system aims to ensure efficient and secure transactions for tax collection, making it easier for businesses and individuals to fulfill their tax obligations.

FBR officials stated that these measures are part of the ongoing effort to modernize Pakistan’s tax collection system and improve compliance. The transition to online tax payment via designated banks is expected to reduce manual processes and enhance transparency in the tax collection system.