Islamabad: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has collected income tax returns worth PKR 33 billion from more than 2.4 million individuals, a news source reported. According to the taxation authority, the latest deadline for filing tax returns had expired on August 9.
FBR’s Member Inland Revenue (Policy) and official spokesman Dr Hamid Ateeq Sarwar said that the board planned to notify some 0.2-0.4 million non-filers of their dues. Previously, it had compiled a database of 3.6 million individuals eligible to pay taxes.
The list specifically includes people residing in one or two kanal houses in urban centres, as well as government officials. During the first stage of the tax collection initiative, system-based tax notices would be issued after which these cases will be handed over to field officers across the country.
Ateeq said that it was the FBR’s goal to create deterrence for non-filers right now and for the future, for which the initial work had begun. Previously, the board had extended the deadline multiple times to show leniency in a bid to expand its tax bracket. He added that the federal institution had decided to take lawful action against non-active taxpayers.
