FBR extends office hours to assist with tax return submissions

With just two days remaining to submit income tax returns, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has extended the working hours of its field offices to assist taxpayers.

According to the FBR, offices will remain open until 10pm today and until midnight on September 30 to accommodate last-minute filers.

Earlier, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) decided to launch a stringent crackdown against non-filers starting October 1.

This will include imposing restrictions on non-filers traveling abroad, among other measures.

A senior official from the FBR stated that the board plans to take strict enforcement actions after October 1, aiming to achieve an annual tax target of approximately 13 trillion rupees.

As part of this campaign, millions of non-filers will receive final tax notices.

The FBR also mentioned that restrictions may be imposed on non-filers traveling abroad, along with strategies to disconnect mobile SIMs and utility connections for electricity and gas.

Additionally, there is a proposal to ban non-filers from buying and selling property and vehicles.

The FBR has stated that income tax returns for the fiscal year 2024 must be submitted by September 30.

Those who fail to file their tax returns will be subject to double withholding tax.

Additionally, it has been decided to conduct extensive audits of taxpayers after the deadline passes.

According to sources, there is a plan to collect billions in taxes from ten major sectors, including retail, wholesale, transport, real estate, construction, health, and education.

The FBR possesses complete records of citizens' transactions, and heavy fines will be imposed in cases of tax evasion or incorrect information.

In a bid to achieve the ambitious tax target for the fiscal year 2024-25, the government has allocated an additional Rs34 billion to modernise the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

Recently, the FBR announced plans to enlist intelligence agencies to identify officers involved in corruption.

As part of its strategy, the government aims to collect Rs450 billion through enforcement measures, focusing on digitally capturing Rs48 trillion in services sector supplies over the next three months.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed support for the FBR's initiatives, which are deemed essential for meeting the annual tax target of Rs12.97 trillion.