The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has launched an extensive crackdown on more than 20 Pakistani social media influencers and public figures accused of concealing their actual earnings and assets while flaunting extravagant lifestyles online.
According to the FBR’s Lifestyle Monitoring Cell, multiple high-profile cases have surfaced involving digital content creators, travel vloggers, and influencers who showcased luxury cars, designer fashion, and frequent international travel — yet declared shockingly low incomes in their annual tax filings.
Lavish Travel, Minimal Declarations
One case involves a travel vlogger who documented frequent luxury trips from 2020 to 2025, visiting countries such as Seychelles, the UAE, Spain, Turkey, the UK, Maldives, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland.
Despite this jet-setting lifestyle, tax records reveal a vastly understated income — Rs. 490,800 in 2020, Rs. 541,880 in 2021, and Rs. 816,800 in 2024, with only modest assets declared each year.
Officials say the declared figures are “grossly inconsistent” with the influencer’s evident lifestyle, suggesting deliberate underreporting of income and tax evasion.
Luxury Vehicles and Hidden Assets
In another major case, the Cell traced Rs. 180.5 million in concealed assets linked to a member of a political family from South Punjab.
Publicly available data revealed ownership of four luxury vehicles — a Lexus LX 570, Toyota Fortuner Legender, Suzuki Hayabusa, and BMW i7 — none of which were declared in the individual’s or their family’s tax returns.
The taxpayer, registered only in 2023, listed just two motorcycles worth Rs. 31.28 million in official filings, omitting other luxury assets altogether.
Multi-Million Rupee Portfolio Uncovered
A third case uncovered Rs. 624 million worth of concealed assets, including 19 luxury and sports vehicles such as a Chevrolet Corvette C8, Range Rover, Ford F-150 Raptor, Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series, and multiple Hilux and off-road trucks.
Investigators confirmed that none of these vehicles appeared in the taxpayer’s asset statements, and the sources of funding remain unverified, raising further red flags.
Widening Crackdown and Ongoing Probes
An FBR spokesperson stated that the Lifestyle Monitoring Cell is actively pursuing all identified cases, though specific names have been withheld under income tax confidentiality laws.
The ongoing operation reflects the FBR’s renewed focus on digital economy taxation, targeting influencers and online personalities who earn significant revenue through brand deals, sponsorships, and digital content but fail to report their true income.
Officials added that the crackdown is part of a broader effort to ensure tax compliance, transparency, and accountability among Pakistan’s fast-growing digital creators and elite social circles.
In other news also read about FBR Extends Tax Filing Deadline to October 31
