The federal government plans to increase the general sales tax (GST) on everyday school and office supplies. The upcoming Finance Bill 2026 will raise the tax from 10% to 18%. According to emerging reports, official sources have confirmed this development. Furthermore, this revised tax rate will officially take effect on July 1, 2026.
The government has already finalized the tax proposal for Finance Bill 2026. Moreover, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has granted clearance for this specific tax hike. Consequently, stationery items will experience a sharp 8 percentage-point jump. Currently, the government taxes these products at 10%, pushing the new total to 18%.
Inflation already makes everything more expensive across the country. However, the government will enforce this new tax regime to boost overall tax revenue for the next fiscal year. As a result, this move gives the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) a larger source to achieve its upcoming tax targets starting in July.
This financial decision will directly impact students, parents, and office consumers. Therefore, the cost of basic educational and professional supplies will rise drastically across the country. Unless cheaper items enter the local market, all stationery will become significantly more expensive due to the higher GST.
