FBR to add late tax filers to active taxpayers list

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The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has announced the inclusion of late income tax filers in the active taxpayers list and issued a notification to this effect, though they will be required to pay a surcharge.

According to Express News, the FBR's notification states that individuals who filed their tax returns by the due or extended date for the new tax year will be added to the active taxpayers list.

A surcharge has been imposed on those who file late returns, and payment of this surcharge will be required for inclusion in the active taxpayers list.

As per the notification, this surcharge will be applied under Section 182A of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.

Newly established companies and businesses that have not yet reached their tax return filing date after June 30 will also be included in the active taxpayers list.

Furthermore, individuals who filed their returns with the revenue boards of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan will also be added to the active taxpayers list.

Last week Pakistani authorities arrested five senior executives, including a prominent fraudster, in a sweeping crackdown on businesses involved in sales tax fraud, as announced by FBR.

These arrests are part of an ongoing effort by the government to target companies and individuals profiting from fraudulent and fake invoices, which have been causing significant losses to the national treasury.

According to an FBR statement, the regional directorates of Intelligence and Investigation, Inland Revenue, carried out the arrests, focusing on individuals involved in creating chains of dummy businesses.

The arrested individuals include four Chief Financial Officers (CFOs), all accused of engaging in tax fraud, along with a notorious fraudster infamous for devising intricate schemes to evade tax obligations.