Islamabad, September 29, 2024 – The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) has called on the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to extend the deadline for filing tax returns by one month, citing several logistical challenges and technical issues that have hindered taxpayers from completing their submissions on time.
In an official statement released on Sunday, RCCI President Saqib Rafiq highlighted significant concerns regarding the functionality of FBR’s online system, Iris, which has been plagued by slow processing speeds and technical glitches due to an overwhelming number of filings. He emphasized that these issues have created severe obstacles for businesses and individuals attempting to meet the current filing deadline.
“The FBR’s system has been running sluggishly, particularly over the last few weeks, with complaints pouring in from traders and members alike,” said Rafiq. “Many have expressed frustration over the system’s inability to handle the heavy traffic during peak filing times, causing significant delays in submitting tax returns.”
The RCCI President also pointed out that the recent closure of banks and other related financial institutions on weekends, coupled with Friday’s political unrest in Rawalpindi, has further exacerbated the difficulties faced by taxpayers. “The closure of banks on Saturdays and Sundays limits access to essential documentation and services, putting taxpayers at a disadvantage,” he remarked. “Moreover, the political demonstrations in Rawalpindi on Friday have disrupted business activities, making it even more challenging for individuals to collect the necessary documents for tax filing.”
Given these multifaceted challenges, Rafiq urged the FBR to grant a one-month extension for tax return submissions to provide relief to the affected taxpayers. He stressed that such an extension would ensure compliance while preventing unnecessary penalties and undue stress on businesses already grappling with economic pressures.
“Taxpayers deserve adequate time to ensure that their filings are accurate and complete. An extension would provide much-needed breathing space and help avoid a situation where they are forced to make errors or omissions due to system constraints,” he added.
As the deadline approaches, RCCI’s call for an extension has garnered widespread support from various business groups and industry leaders, who share similar concerns about the technical challenges and practical difficulties that have arisen during this filing season. The business community now awaits a response from the FBR, hoping for a decision that facilitates smoother compliance and avoids further complications.
