Pakistan

Umbrella Company in Pakistan

Independent contracting in Pakistan isn’t always straightforward. You’ve got immigration issues, tax difficulties, and mountains of complex admin work. Even worse, missteps can cost you serious money, or even land you in legal trouble.

Before you consider taking a contract in Pakistan, you should be aware of what you’re getting into – and how you can make it simpler

Difficulties of Contracting in Pakistan

Generally, you need to have an employer sponsor to secure the appropriate work permit and work visa for Pakistan.

If you’re working independently, it can be difficult to find clients willing to sponsor you. Moreover, even if your client can do this, you’ll need a new sponsor each time you decide to take on a new contract. Of course, every new sponsor will mean more paperwork.

Also, are you familiar with the intricacies of the tax system in Pakistan, as well as your own country’s laws on overseas earnings? If so, good on you!

However, if you’re like the rest of us, figuring out (much less reducing) your tax liability in Pakistan and your home country can seem like full-time work in itself.

How Umbrella Companies Work

Most freelance workers aren’t superheroes who successfully tackle these issues all on their own. Some companies specialise in helping workers make the most out of their contracts.

They’re called Umbrella Companies (or, contractor management companies).

An Umbrella Company acts as your full-time employer, even though you maintain your independence as a contractor. They collect and filter payments from your clients, filtering out the necessary social security and fees. You send them your timesheets, and they send you payments.

Because they act as your “employer,’ they can sponsor you and provide a single work permit for multiple contracts in Pakistan. Even better, most are experts in Pakistani and expat tax law, meaning they’ll also help you optimise your earnings in Pakistan.

Although the Umbrella Company is technically your “employer,” you’re essentially freeing yourself to work even more independently. You still dictate your contracts, your hours, your schedule. The Umbrella Company simply filters out the time-consuming admin and immigration issues, allowing you to focus on your new contract.

Why Use an Umbrella Company in Pakistan

Most people want to do their work, earn their money and enjoy their spare time without taking on loads of admin in a new country. That is why an umbrella company can help.

When you’re working through an Umbrella Company, you’ll essentially be outsourcing the admin and tax issues to specialists.

While the umbrella company will charge a fee, you’ll likely end up saving more money in the long run: you’ll be able to focus on your work, expertly reduce your tax liability, and comply with all laws and regulations in Pakistan (which means avoiding fees, fines, or even worse penalties).

How We Can Help You

There’s a huge variety of Umbrella Companies with different specialities and advantages in Pakistan. How do you find the right one for your circumstances?

We work closely with Umbrella Companies throughout Pakistan and match contractors with the right company for them. If you’ve already secured a contract in Pakistan, we can help you find your best match (for free). Or, we can simply give you feedback on your situation (for free).

A Contractor’s Guide to Taxes in Pakistan

One of the most consistently challenging aspects of contracting in Pakistan is complying with the country’s tax system. As well as paying tax in Pakistan, you might also still be eligible to pay some tax in your home country, and understanding the legislation behind this can be a challenge.

How do I calculate my taxable income in Pakistan?

If you’re working in Pakistan under a permanent contract, many employers will handle your tax under the PAYE (pay-as-you-earn) system. This means that they calculate and process your taxes in Pakistan for you and then send you a net wage. Your income tax, public health insurance, social security and other deductions will all be covered by this payment. This is the easiest way to handle your income tax in Pakistan, but contractors may not be offered this service because of their short stay with each employer.

Anybody who can’t pay their tax in Pakistan through PAYE is left with the prospect of doing everything themselves.

Do you know much about Pakistani Tax Law? Does Pakistan have a tax treaty with your home country? You will need to find out or find someone who can help! Income tax in Pakistan can range from 2 to 30 per cent, and you need to be sure you are placed in the correct tax brackets.

Tax Filing in Pakistan

When Do You Need to Lodge Your Tax Return? 30 September (31 August for individuals with income above PKR500,000)
Tax Filing Deadline 30 September (31 August for individuals with income above PKR500,000)
Can you file it online? Yes, https://iris.fbr.gov.pk/infosys/public/txplogin.xhtml

How to File Taxes in Pakistan

Step 1: Register

Obtain a Registration Number and password for Iris, the Federal Board of Revenue’s online system for taxpayer registration, here.

Go to ‘Registration for Unregistered Person’ and provide the required information. You’ll be sent an email or SMS to verify your account. Following this, you’ll be sent a login PIN. This process may take a few days, for security reasons.

Step 2: File Taxes Using Iris

You can now log in with your Registration Number and password, and file your taxes. Your Registration Number can be found on your CNIC (National Identity Card)/NICOP (National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis) (13 digits).

A detailed step-by-step guide on how to file your income tax returns can be found on the FBR website here

Tax Figures in Pakistan

Currency Pakistani Rupee (PKR)
Tax-free Threshold in Pakistan PKR400,000
Income Tax Rates
Grossed Income Tax Rate (%)
0-400,000 0%
>400,000-500,000 2%
>500,000-750,000 5%
>750,000-1,400,000 10%
>1,400,000-1,500,000 12%
>1,500,000-1,800,000 15%
>1,800,000-2,500,000 17.5%
>2,500,000-3,000,000 20%
>3,000,000-3,500,000 22.5%
>3,500,000-4,000,000 25%
>4,000,000-7,000,000 27.5%
>7,000,000 30%
Notes Income tax is withheld from salaries by the employer. The amount to be withheld is determined by applying the average rate of tax on the estimated salary of the employee for the fiscal year.

Tax Residency in Pakistan

When do you become a tax resident in Pakistan

You become a tax resident in Pakistan when:

  • You are present in Pakistan for 183 or more in a tax year (1 July through to 30 June); or
  • You are an employee of the Pakistani federal or provincial government and you are posted outside Pakistan during the tax year.

Does the 183-day rule apply in Pakistan

Yes

Am I taxed on my global income in Pakistan

Residents are taxed on their global income in Pakistan. Non-residents are taxed on their Pakistan-sourced income only.

Can you set up your own Limited Company in Pakistan

How long does it take to set up 12 days
How much does it cost PKR1600
Is it easy? Starting a Business Rank: 142/190 (Source: World Bank)

Tax Calculator in Pakistan

If you are a contractor and want a calculation on your tax and net retention in Pakistan, we can supply it to you free of charge.

Using an Umbrella Company for Income Tax in Pakistan

Contractors in Pakistan are faced with masses of paperwork and numerous wasted hours filing a tax return unless they find an alternative option. A Pakistani umbrella company can act as your employer during your stay in the country whilst still allowing you the freedom of a contractor. The only difference is that you submit your timesheets to them; they’ll calculate and pay your taxes as you earn, and then you receive a net wage (as well as documentation for your records).

The companies are experts in Pakistani taxation, and they’ll ensure that you keep the largest proportion of your earnings whilst complying with local laws. They can deal with any issues with the Pakistani tax office or tax department directly including processing your tax refund if you are eligible.

How We Can Help You with Tax in Pakistan

We work with numerous umbrella companies in Pakistan, many of whom are experts in tax and immigration laws. If you have any questions about tax in Pakistan, we’ll get the answers from them directly so you can rest assured you’ll be getting accurate information. We have comprehensive knowledge of the different services they provide and can help you find the right company to handle your income tax. We help oil and gas workers, software developers, IT project managers, testers, business analysts and telecommunications contractors get tax efficient payments and sponsorship for their Pakistani work permits.

Our advice is 100 per cent free and comes with no obligations. You will be paying taxes in Pakistan but without the overhead of directly dealing with the Pakistani tax authorities. Get in touch with us today for some reliable advice on tax in Pakistan!

A Contractor’s Guide to Work Permits in Pakistan

Immigration is one of the primary concerns for any contractor hoping to start working in Pakistan. Permanent employees will find it easy to get their Pakistani work permit because they’ll receive “sponsorship” for their entire stay from their prospective employer.

The Pakistani work permit, known more commonly as the Pakistani Work Visa, is dependent on this sponsorship because it confirms that you’ll be earning money during your stay in the country. Contracting in Pakistan is more difficult because the work permit is tied to one employer, so you have to change it to suit each new contract. Thankfully, umbrella companies provide a convenient and effective solution to this issue.

How Can Umbrella Companies Help You Get a Work Permit in Pakistan?

As your permanent employer, umbrella companies can sponsor you for your Pakistani work permit provided they’re on the register of approved sponsors. Many different companies offer this service because it makes contracting in Pakistan infinitely simpler and saves you the hassle of continuous paperwork. Instead of changing your work permit every time you get a new contract, you can just work how you ordinarily would under the same permit. They protect you from the bureaucratic “rain” of legal compliance with the Pakistani immigration authorities. They can even deal with the Pakistan Embassy directly.

Through their service, you may be able to use a business visa to get started quickly and then transition to a work visa in Pakistan. It depends on your specific visa requirements. Be aware you may have to register for a residence permit in Pakistan.

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By clicking submit, Campbell will introduce you by email to the best matched Umbrella Partners for your contract. It's the fastest way for Umbrella Companies to provide a detailed quote, scope of service and a projection of your net earnings. There will be no charge to you for this referral service. If you have any questions or need to talk at any stage, we're here to help.

Solutions Expert