No extension to return filing date; statutory time already given: FBR

No extension to return filing date; statutory time already given: FBR

ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Friday said that it has already given statutory time to taxpayers for filing income tax returns for tax year 2020.

Therefore, no further date will be extended beyond December 08, 2020.

The FBR in an office order intimated about the date for return filing to all the chief commissioners of Inland Revenue. However, the FBR said that taxpayers should be facilitated who request date extension explaining failure to comply with due date.

According to the provision Section 114 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, annual tax return is required to be filed by on or before September 30 every year implying a period of 90 days to taxpayers to discharge their legal obligation.

This year, since new income tax return form was uploaded on IRIS on September 08, 2020, the deadline for filing of the tax return was extended through Circular No. 04 of 2020 on September 30, 2020 till December 08, 2020, allowing the citizens full statutorily – mandated time of 90 days in one go; piecemeal repeated extensions compromise tax administration’s credibility and adversely affect taxpayers’ perception for the future, the FBR said.

The FBR further said that provisions of Section 119(I) of the Ordinance stipulates that a “person required to furnish a tax return under Section 114 … may apply, in writing, to the Commissioner for an extension of time to furnish the return.”

Since the date of filing of tax returns for the tax year 2020, being December 08, 2020 is retained as the final date for the purpose, it is absolutely necessary that commissioners should grant extension in all cases of hardship of any nature.

In order to render the entire process of filing for extension and granting of time to taxpayers for filing of tax returns, IRIS is being modified to make it facilitative and less time-consuming, according to the office order.

The Chief Commissioners have been directed to be fully vigilant and ensure that no requests for extension remain unattended in their jurisdiction.