The Pakistan Industrial and Traders Association Front Chairman Mian Nauman Kabir has asked the Federal Board of Revenue to extend the date of income tax returns filing for the tax year 2021, as taxpayers may face problems filing their returns on time due to multiple reasons.
Mian Nauman Kabir urged Finance Minister and FBR Chairman to extend the deadline for filing Annual Income Tax Returns for at least three months- from 30th Sept to Dec 31, 2021, until some relief in the fourth cycle of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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He said that a large number of business community members would not be able to file their tax returns, mainly due to the effects of COVID-19 on the whole working environment. He further added that the fourth wave, which is more severe and requires strict observation of SoPs, has also significantly disturbed business activities all over the country. Furthermore, he added that the surge in COVID-19 has slowed down the usual economic and commercial activities.
He hailed the FBR’s well-timed release of returns but long holidays amidst the fourth surge of the Corona epidemic had seriously affected the working of trade and industry. He said that the recent lockdown in Karachi and two-day closure of markets across the country along with restriction of 50 percent presence of staff are major hurdles in the smooth working of businesses.
The FBR Chairman should take notice of the grave situation, as FBR’s last date for filing income tax returns going to expire at the end of Sept 2021, while the taxpayers want some relaxation in the deadline. As the working environment is not friendly due to the spread of coronavirus and rising cases the FBR’s stance that it would not grant any further extension in the last date for filing returns is not appropriate, he added.