Islamabad: According to sources from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), an extension for the income tax return filing deadline is anticipated. The matter will be considered upon Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s return to the country. In a statement, Saqib Rafiq, President of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce, highlighted that the FBR’s system (IRIS) is under pressure due to a surge in filings. He noted that the recent weekend holidays have caused difficulties for filers in obtaining bank statements and other necessary documents.
Additionally, protests by a political party in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and other cities have further complicated the situation, making it challenging for taxpayers to gather the required documentation. Therefore, the federal government is urged to grant a one-month extension for filing returns.
As of September 28, the FBR reported that 2.9 million returns had been submitted, compared to just 1.4 million returns filed by the same date last year. On September 30, offices will remain open until midnight to accommodate last-minute filers.
