The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has extended the deadline for filing sales tax and federal excise returns for the tax period of February 2025. Taxpayers now have until March 27 to submit their returns, instead of the original deadline of March 18.
According to an official notification, the decision was made under Section 74 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990, and Section 43 of the Federal Excise Act, 2005.
The FBR stated that the extension aims to accommodate taxpayers who are experiencing difficulties in meeting the original deadline. This move is intended to help them avoid penalties and ensure compliance.
In a recent meeting on tax matters, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was briefed about the recovery of Rs34.5 billion by the FBR within a 24-hour period.
The prime minister commended this swift recovery, noting that it demonstrated the success that can be achieved through hard work and dedication. He referred to the recovery as a “historic achievement” and called it a promising start for future efforts.
PM Shehbaz stressed the need for a sustainable system to address long-standing challenges within the tax framework.
He urged the development of a comprehensive legal structure to support the FBR’s recovery efforts on a permanent basis and requested a plan for the bureau’s reforms and the implementation of tax laws.
The prime minister also highlighted the importance of improving the FBR’s workforce, suggesting that full digitalisation, third-party validation, and continuous monitoring could enhance the system’s efficiency. He called for strict action against officials involved in any form of misconduct, while encouraging recognition for those who perform well.
The FBR chairman provided updates on ongoing reforms, including the directorate of law, the development of a digital algorithm for tax assessment, and the overall performance of tax officers.
Additionally, the meeting covered pending tax cases and efforts to recover funds through legal channels.
