Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) has banned handwritten Receipts at several businesses across Punjab.
The new requirement applies to restaurants, hotels, coffee shops and marriage halls throughout the province. The measure aims to improve transparency in tax collection and reduce alleged tax evasion.
PRA Chairman Muazam Iqbal Sapra directed officials to implement the new requirements across Punjab. Following his directions, commissioners in all districts have issued notifications to relevant businesses.
Electronic Receipts Now Required
Under the new rules, covered businesses must use the Electronic Invoice Monitoring System (EIMS).
Restaurants, hotels, coffee shops and marriage halls must issue customer Receipts through this electronic system. Handwritten billing will no longer meet the requirements announced by the authority.
The PRA has also restricted businesses from providing certain alternative documents to customers. These include kitchen order slips, unpaid bills and similar documents used instead of proper invoices.
Businesses must provide customers with officially required receipts after transactions. Each receipt must contain specific information about the business and transaction.
This includes the business name, address and receipt number. The invoice must also display a Punjab Revenue Authority QR code.
Heavy Fines for Violations
Businesses that fail to use EIMS could face significant financial penalties.
According to the notification, fines may range from Rs400,000 to Rs1 million. Repeated violations could result in stronger enforcement measures.
Establishments repeatedly breaking the rules may be sealed for up to one month. The PRA has also warned businesses against interfering with official duties.
Legal action may follow if sales records are altered or required records are withheld. The authority has indicated that compliance with the new system will be closely monitored.
PRA Aims to Digitize Sales Records
PRA officials say the measures are designed to improve transparency in Punjab’s tax system.
Electronic invoicing will allow sales information to be maintained through digital records. The authority expects the system to help improve monitoring of taxable transactions.
It could also make it more difficult for businesses to hide sales from tax authorities. The ban on handwritten Receipts forms part of this broader effort to digitize transaction records.
Notifications implementing the requirements have been issued across all districts of Punjab. Restaurants and other affected businesses will need to ensure their billing systems comply with the new requirements.
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The PRA says the initiative is intended to strengthen tax compliance and create greater transparency in revenue collection.
