For facilitating return filing, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has directed the offices of Inland Revenue (IR) to work late hours. The offices will remain open until 12:00 midnight on October 15, 2021, to accommodate individuals and businesses in their efforts to fulfill their tax obligations.
The FBR issued explicit instructions to all chief commissioners of Inland Revenue, urging them to ensure that their respective offices maintain extended working hours. This initiative aims to provide taxpayers with additional time to complete the necessary procedures for payment of duties and taxes, as well as the submission of income tax returns for the tax year 2021.
The significance of this extension lies in the fact that October 15, 2021, is the final deadline for filing income tax returns for the tax year 2021. The FBR had already granted an extension from the original deadline of September 30, 2021, recognizing the potential challenges and complexities faced by taxpayers in completing the filing process.
In its communication to chief commissioners, the FBR emphasized the need for close coordination with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and authorized branches of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP). This collaboration is essential to ensure the seamless transfer of tax collections from these branches to the respective SBP branches on the same date. This process is crucial for accurate accounting of collections for the month of October 2021.
To further enhance the convenience for taxpayers, the SBP has also issued instructions regarding extended banking hours at SBP-BSC offices and NBP branches (A, B, and C category). These institutions will observe extended banking hours until 8:00 PM on October 15, 2021. This extension is applicable for the collection of government taxes and duties through both manual and Alternate Delivery Channels (ADCs) modes, including Over-the-Counter (OTC) facilities.
The coordinated effort between the FBR, Inland Revenue offices, SBP, and NBP reflects a commitment to ensuring that taxpayers have ample opportunity to fulfill their obligations within the stipulated timeframe. The extension of working hours and the additional support provided through banking channels aim to streamline the tax filing process and contribute to enhanced compliance.
As the deadline approaches, taxpayers are encouraged to take advantage of the extended hours and available resources to complete their income tax returns for the tax year 2021. The collaborative approach between government entities and financial institutions underscores the commitment to creating a taxpayer-friendly environment, fostering a culture of compliance, and contributing to the overall economic stability of the country.
