The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has launched a tough crackdown on tax evasion, focusing on social media influencers and fintech executives who display luxurious lifestyles online but report very low incomes on their tax returns.
According to officials, the FBR’s Lifestyle Monitoring Cell has identified many individuals who show off expensive cars, designer clothes, and frequent international trips on social media, yet pay very little tax. The names of these individuals have been sent to FBR headquarters and regional offices for formal investigation.
One of the most shocking cases involves the owner of a Lahore-based fintech company who owns 30 luxury cars worth around Rs. 2.74 billion ($9.8 million) — including a Lamborghini Aventador and a Rolls Royce Phantom — none of which were mentioned in his tax documents. The FBR found that the value of these cars is nearly 1,000 times higher than the assets he reported in 2019.
The fintech executive has repeatedly changed his tax returns over the years. For example, he first reported an income of only Rs. 523,493 in 2019, later increasing it to Rs. 3.4 million. In 2024, he declared zero income, but then revised it to Rs. 67.9 million, and in 2025, his income jumped again to Rs. 181.14 million.
FBR has also identified several travel influencers who have visited many countries while declaring very low yearly incomes.
One influencer from Lahore traveled to over 25 countries from 2021 to 2025 but showed an annual income between Rs. 442,000 and Rs. 3.79 million. Another influencer from Islamabad, who owns luxury jewelry and designer handbags, reported only Rs. 3.5 million income in 2022.
This crackdown comes as the FBR faces pressure to achieve its annual revenue target of Rs. 14.13 trillion, after already missing its collection goal by Rs. 274 billion in the first four months of the fiscal year.
The FBR has directed its regional offices to start action against all individuals found hiding income or underreporting assets.
