Business associations in Pakistan are advocating for a one-month extension to the tax return deadline, aligning their appeals with the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI), Islamabad Chamber, and All Pakistan Traders Association to extend the filing period until October 31.
The Rawalpindi-Islamabad Tax Bar Association has joined this call, formally requesting an extension in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, and FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial. They argue that the current 15-day extension is insufficient, as it encompasses four public holidays, thus reducing the number of actual working days and increasing the load on the IRIS tax filing system.
The association warns that without a proper extension, many taxpayers might file empty returns, which could overwhelm the tax system. They assert that a 30-day extension would significantly ease the process for taxpayers.
Echoing these concerns, Ajmal Baloch, President of the All Pakistan Traders Association, has also pressed the FBR for an extended deadline, highlighting the economic challenges traders currently face. Baloch pointed out that the FBR’s system inefficiencies complicate the tax filing process, suggesting that the FBR should be responsible if returns go unfiled due to system failures.
