ISLAMABAD: In a bid to assist taxpayers in meeting their obligations before the end of the month, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has directed its Inland Revenue field offices to remain open for extended hours on Wednesday, September 30, 2020. This decision aims to facilitate the payment of duties and taxes on the last day of the month.
According to an office order issued by the FBR, all Chief Commissioners of Inland Revenue have been instructed to keep their offices open until 10:00 PM on September 30. This extension is specifically intended to provide taxpayers with additional time to settle their dues, thereby helping to ensure compliance and avoid penalties associated with late payments.
The FBR’s directive also includes instructions to the Chief Commissioners to establish close coordination with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the authorized branches of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP). This collaboration is crucial to ensure that all tax collections made by the NBP branches on September 30 are promptly transferred to the respective branches of the SBP on the same day. The timely transfer of these funds is essential for them to be accounted for in the tax collection for the month of September.
This move by the FBR reflects the agency’s commitment to facilitating taxpayers, particularly in light of the economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. By extending the working hours, the FBR aims to reduce the burden on taxpayers who might be facing difficulties in arranging timely payments due to various constraints.
“Keeping the offices open late will allow more flexibility for taxpayers to meet their obligations, especially those who may have been delayed by unforeseen circumstances,” an FBR official commented. The extended hours are expected to provide relief to businesses and individuals alike, ensuring a smoother end-of-month tax filing process.
Moreover, the FBR’s coordination with the SBP and NBP underscores the importance of efficient tax administration and prompt fund transfers. This measure is intended to enhance the transparency and effectiveness of the tax collection process, aligning with the FBR’s broader goals of improving tax compliance and revenue generation.
As September 30 approaches, taxpayers are encouraged to take advantage of the extended hours and ensure that all necessary payments are made within the stipulated timeframe. The FBR’s proactive steps to support taxpayers highlight the agency’s ongoing efforts to facilitate tax compliance while also addressing the financial needs of the state.
The extension of working hours is just one of the many steps the FBR has taken to streamline tax collection and support economic stability during these challenging times.
