FBR considers extending income tax filing deadline: sources

• FBR considers extending deadline by 15 days.
• Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin to take final decision.
• Extension to be give to filers facing technical issues as well.

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is considering extending the deadline for income tax filing, sources said Thursday, as the demands for moving the last date forward increased.

Sources said the tax collection body had received applications for the extension of the deadline of filing income tax returns, and now, the FBR is considering moving the date 15 days forward.

Federal Minister for Finance Shaukat Tarin will make a final decision in this regard, while the people who want an extension will have to file an application today, sources said.

The FBR officials have directed concerned commissioners to cooperate with filers, sources said. "People who want a 15-day relief will have to either file an application or apply online."

The sources added that except for hardships, people facing technical issues will also be granted an extension in the deadline.

FBR to not extend deadline for income tax filers

The FBR on Wednesday had clarified it would not extend the deadline for people seeking to file their income tax returns.

The tax collection body, in a notification, had said relevant commissioners could extend the date for certain individuals who submit a written application seeking an extension in the deadline under the provisions of section 119 (1) of the Income Tax Ordinance.

People facing hardships can be given an extension of 15 days, the tax collection body had said, adding that the filing date for companies would not be extended.

Businessmen have urged the tax collection body to extend the date to file by two months to facilitate the business community, according to a report published in The News today.

Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) President Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo demanded that FBR extend the deadline, saying it would support the government’s drive to broaden the tax base.

Referring to the September 30 deadline, he had said the recommendation was based on the feedback received from businesses across Pakistan.

Working hours extended

A day earlier, the FBR had announced an extension in the working hours of its offices to facilitate income tax filers.

According to a statement by the tax authority, the relevant offices will remain open till 12 midnight on September 29 (Wednesday) and September 30 (Thursday).

The FBR online portal for those wishing to file their returns online has been encountering errors in its server, causing immense difficulties to people.

The Pakistan Tax Bar Association had also demanded an extension in the deadline to file income tax returns.

Last week, responding to news regarding a supposed extension in the date, FBR spokesperson Asad Tahir categorically denied this was the case, stating that no proposal in this regard has been considered at the FBR headquarters.

In an informal conversation with journalists, Tahir said: "So far, 0.8 million people have filed their returns."

He added that no strict action will be taken against traders but said that after 15 days, show-cause notices will be issued to traders who do not have Point of Sales (PoS) systems installed.

"Failure to install PoS will result in a fine worth Rs500,000 after 15 days," the spokesman said, adding that if traders apply PoS in 15 days, the fine will be waived off.

Tahir added that failure to install PoS after a month will result in a fine worth Rs3 million. "Closing down businesses will be the last resort," he added.