ISLAMABAD - Despite imposing new taxes on the helpless masses, the government might still struggle to achieve the annual tax collection target of Rs 1,604 billion in the ongoing financial year 2010-11, owing to the already revenue collection shortfall. The government had made strong commitment with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to take additional revenue generation measures for Rs 26 billion for the last quarter (April-June) of the ongoing fiscal year in order to control the soaring fiscal deficit. The government would introduce 15 per cent flood surcharge and would increase the Special Excise Duty by 1.5 per cent from April. However, the sources in FBR claimed that they might struggle to achieve the annual target. The performance of the tax department remained unsatisfactory in previous couple of months, as it had missed the tax collection target in the said period. According to the figures, the FBR collected Rs 108 billion in January against the target of Rs 124 billion, and Rs 108 billion in February against the target of Rs 130 billion thus leaving shortfall at some Rs 38 billion in January and February months. It might be mention here that FBR had performed well in the first two quarters of the ongoing financial year, as it achieved the tax collection target. However, its performance in last two months leaves a question on its overall tax collection target during the ongoing fiscal year. The Federal Board of Revenue had collected around Rs 878 billion during the first eight months (July-February) of the ongoing financial year, while it needs Rs 726 billion in just four months (March-June) period to reach the target of Rs 1604 billion, which means FBR has to collect Rs 181.5 billion per month. However, sources told that FBR could achieve the annual tax collection target if eliminates tax exemptions given to the several sectors. The government is contemplating to withdraw tax exemptions on several sectors including textile, leather and others, which can generate Rs 25 billion if it happen, said an official of the FBR while talking to The Nation on Tuesday. Similarly, the government is also working to increase General Sales Tax (GST) on sugar from existing eight per cent to 17 per cent, which would also generate healthy revenue in the remaining period of ongoing fiscal year, he said and added that FBRs was also working on its administrative reform that could also help in generating some revenue.