Leading YouTube Nadar Ali Charged With Tax Evasion

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Nadir Ali is regarded as a successful social media star in Pakistan, who has been the center of attention for his comedy videos. However, now the tax authorities have sent him a tax notice claiming that Nadir Ali owed a tax of Rs. 30 million. Nadir Ali releases comedy videos on YouTube on the channel “Pi for Picau.” More than 3 million subscribers have been subscribed to their channel so far.

Nadir Ali’s videos receive millions of views and likes within minutes after the release. When viewed as a whole, his channel has received 82 million views so far, making Nadir Ali’s YouTube channel one of Pakistan’s largest YouTube channels.

YouTube Has Set a Big Milestone:

However, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has been investigating Nadir Ali for some time with a view to hiding his income, though it was not known when the investigation began. According to persons belonging to the Department of Intelligence and Investigation, the investigation has been completed, and the matter has been forwarded to Karachi’s Chief Commissioner of Inland Revenue Tax Office to collect the tax.

In this regard, tax officials told Dawn that several notices were sent to Nadir Ali during the investigation. However, he did not respond to any of them, and now he has the authority to appeal the decision before the Commissioner’s appeal in the Karachi RTO office. According to FBR officials, this is the first case of its kind when someone has not disclosed a large amount of income from online content to pay the tax.

Popularity of Nadir Ali:

Speaking of Pakistani online stars, the story of Nadir Ali, who became an internet star in just four years from a modest comedian, launched his YouTube channel in May 2016 and is now on Facebook and Instagram. Have also become the focus of people’s attention.

As a resident, Nadir Ali registered with the Income Tax Department on October 13, 2017, and filed tax returns from 2016 to 2019, showing his income in the first two years (2016 and 2017), In the next two years (2018 and 2019), their income was estimated at Rs 8 lakh 9 thousand 762 and one crore 44 lakh 40 thousand respectively. An FBR investigation revealed that Nadir Ali’s tax return did not have a complete record of his income, which led him to believe that Nadir Ali had hidden his income. Further details came to light that Nadir Ali’s total income in 2017 was Rs 21 lakh 86 thousand, 2 crore 83 lakh 35 thousand in 2018, and 4 crore 67 lakh 62 thousand in 2019.

Be aware, and the FBR has confirmed the details of the payment through YouTube.

In addition, the taxpayer received more than one crore foreign currency in one year, which was claimed to be exempt without providing proof to the tax department, in which the taxpayer kept a bank account mentioned. They did not disclose the details of their assets (Wealth State Minutes).

It should be noted here that this case is the first milestone in FBR’s ongoing efforts to expand its reach to online revenue, with social media stars and celebrities, on the one hand, platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Are engaged in efforts to expand their business. There, tax authorities are struggling to expand their capabilities to identify the resulting revenue.

Who is making revenue from online content?

In the coming days, many other social media stars and celebrities may also receive calls from the FBR. According to a senior FBR official, “People should understand that income from online content is also taxable, and it requires a 5-year record, and it should be included in the annual return file. To be displayed.

Speaking to Dawn on behalf of his lawyer, Nadir Ali, on the other hand, denied the FBR’s allegation of not responding. He said, ‘We received their notice, and we responded to it and requested an extension in time, and our request was approved. We are now trying to address these issues properly.


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