In a significant relief for taxpayers, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has once again extended the deadline for filing income tax returns and wealth statements for the tax year 2019. According to FBR’s latest notification – Circular No. 16/2019 – the new date for submission has been set as December 16, 2019, offering individuals and companies a final opportunity to comply with their tax obligations.
The FBR stated that individuals and associations of persons (AOPs) who were required to file their income tax returns and statements of final taxation for the year 2019, originally due on September 30, 2019, are now permitted to complete the filing process by mid-December. This marks the fourth extension, following previous deadlines of October 31 and November 30, 2019.
The decision comes after repeated appeals from taxpayers and professional bodies who cited challenges in gathering the necessary documentation and using the online FBR return filing system. The FBR acknowledged that despite the previous extensions, a significant number of taxpayers were still unable to complete their filing requirements.
Moreover, the FBR has extended similar relief to companies that were obligated to file their returns/statements of final taxation for tax year 2019 by September 30. The deadline had earlier been extended twice, up to October 31 and then to November 30. Companies that have already paid at least 90 percent of their admitted tax liability but missed the final submission can now file their returns by December 16, 2019, the FBR confirmed.
This final extension underscores FBR’s efforts to facilitate compliance and avoid penalizing taxpayers who made partial payments or faced procedural delays. The FBR has advised all eligible taxpayers to take advantage of this extended period and complete their filing without further delay to avoid penalties and legal consequences.
The FBR reiterated its commitment to enhancing taxpayer facilitation and urged prompt action within the newly extended deadline.