The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has called on the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to extend the deadline for filing income tax returns for the Tax Year 2025 by fifteen days, moving it from October 15 to October 31. The request was made through an official letter from FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh to FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial, in which he emphasized the need for flexibility in light of the challenges being faced by taxpayers across the country.
According to Sheikh, many taxpayers have been unable to meet the current filing deadline due to delays in receiving essential financial documents and persistent technical issues on the FBR’s online filing system. He pointed out that the difficulties are further compounded by ongoing challenges with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system integration under the digital invoicing framework being implemented by FBR. These issues, he added, have disrupted the ability of businesses to finalize and submit their returns in a timely and accurate manner.
In his statement, Sheikh underscored that the situation demands a more taxpayer-friendly approach from the authorities, calling on FBR to address the concerns without delay. He said that extending the deadline would not only ease the burden on individual and corporate taxpayers but would also encourage broader compliance with tax regulations. The FPCCI president highlighted that technical glitches on the online portal often slow down or interrupt the filing process, leaving many businesses unable to complete submissions before the cutoff date.
The FPCCI also noted that procedural and logistical hurdles continue to plague the filing process, as taxpayers struggle to acquire verified documentation from various institutions while managing ERP integration delays. These technical and administrative challenges, the chamber argued, are genuine obstacles that prevent taxpayers from fulfilling their legal obligations. The chamber reiterated that the proposed extension would serve as a practical measure to allow more accurate and complete submissions, rather than forcing businesses to file under pressure or risk penalties for late compliance.
Industry stakeholders have supported FPCCI’s position, noting that the move aligns with the broader goal of improving Pakistan’s tax culture and supporting business continuity. A short extension, they argue, would help FBR ensure higher accuracy in data collection and enhance confidence in its digital systems. FPCCI’s appeal comes as part of its ongoing engagement with FBR to address recurring compliance issues and streamline the process for businesses adapting to evolving digital taxation systems.
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