The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to extend the deadline for filing tax returns, citing issues with the FBR’s online portal.
In a statement, KCCI President Iftikhar Ahmed Shaikh highlighted the difficulties traders are facing due to the malfunctioning portal, as the current tax return deadline approaches.
Shaikh called on the FBR to grant a one-month extension, arguing that traders will struggle to meet the September 30 deadline if the system issues aren’t resolved.
He also stressed the need for simplifying the tax filing process for ease of use.
Despite these concerns, the FBR has warned citizens against waiting until the last moment to file their returns. On Saturday, FBR spokesperson Bakhtiar Muhammad encouraged taxpayers to file before the deadline, insisting that no extensions will be given.
Muhammad also noted the importance of tax compliance for Pakistan’s economic health, stating that non-compliance could result in disconnections of electricity and gas services, and even the blocking of SIM cards for those failing to submit their returns on time.