ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL) will provide free integration services to registered businesses, including retailers, for linking with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

As per an FBR notification issued on Wednesday, PRAL will serve as a licensed integrator for the Point of Sales (POS) system. Meanwhile, privately licensed companies will continue to charge a fee for configuring and integrating electronic invoicing or POS software, within limits set by the FBR.

A tax expert explained to Business Recorder that this initiative will ease financial burdens on retailers, offering free integration services along with downloadable electronic invoicing or POS software from the FBR. This move eliminates the high costs previously associated with private company integration services, allowing retailers to request PRAL’s integration without any charges.

Another expert noted that while PRAL offers free services, private companies will still be available for electronic invoicing integration. The licensing for private integrators falls under Chapter XIV-BB of the Sales Tax Rules, 2006 (amended via SRO 1788(1)/2023) and Chapter VITA of the Income Tax Rules, 2002 (amended via SRO 428(1)/2024).

The notification further clarifies that individuals now have the choice to integrate via a private company’s system or opt for PRAL’s free service. PRAL was selected for this role through a competitive process overseen by the FBR. Similar models have been implemented in Turkey and India.

The FBR reaffirmed that PRAL will offer free integration services to registered businesses upon request and will provide a downloadable invoicing or POS software on the FBR’s official website when required. While private integrators may charge for configuration, the FBR and its field formations will not bear any costs.