KARACHI: With an aim to enhance revenue generation and bring non-filers into the tax net, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has instructed at least 76,000 officials working with various departments of the Sindh government to pay their income taxes by August 2, 2019, Pakistan Today has learnt.
According to well-placed sources, there are more than 93,000 officials of the Sindh government working in different departments and drawing monthly salaries from the Sindh accountant general.
In this regard, FBR Inland Revenue Commissioner Atif Ali has written a letter to Sindh Chief Secretary Mumtaz Ali Shah to ensure compliance on the filing of tax returns by the said officials.
“Your kind attention is invited to the fact that this office obtained data of employees working in Sindh Government from the Accountant General. According to the data, around 93,000 employees are earning taxable salaries while only 17,000 are filing income returns”, the letter states, a copy of which is available with Pakistan Today.
“Section 114 of Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 requires every individual earning a taxable income to furnish his/her tax returns, but it has been noted that most of the employees remain complacent on the plea that there has been deducted on salary, so the filing of return is not mandatory, which is a misconception. It is also noted with concern that even BS-20 officers are not filing their return. You are therefore requested to issue directions to all officer/officials working under your control to fulfill their legal obligation by the filing of return of income for Tax Year 2018,” the letter further states.
“Kindly note that last date for filing tax returns for the year 2018 has been extended to August 2, 2019. This office shall be pleased to provide facilitation/technical assistance for online filing of returns by employees of Sindh government”, the letter concludes.