Creators call for tax relief on digital earnings

Summary

• Pakistani content creators, digital artists and social media influencers have urged the government to reconsider the taxation system on digital earnings, saying a more balanced framework could support entrepreneurship and increase foreign exchange inflows.
• The Federal Board of Revenue has introduced withholding tax on income received by digital creators and influencers from social media platforms.
• Dr Noman Ahmed Said, CEO of SI Global Solutions, said creators should contribute to the national tax system but argued that their irregular income and business expenses should be properly considered.

AI Generated Summary

Pakistani content creators, digital artists and social media influencers have urged the government to reconsider the taxation system on digital earnings, saying a more balanced framework could support entrepreneurship and increase foreign exchange inflows.

Creators argue that income from platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok depends on several factors, including audience location, advertising demand, platform policies and production expenses. They say taxing gross receipts can put additional pressure on creators who face high costs or inconsistent earnings.