July and August 2011: over 95 percent taxpayers filed ST returns

Over 95 percent of taxpayers have successfully filed sales tax returns for the tax periods of July and August 2011. Sources told Business Recorder here on Friday that a very small percentage of taxpayers have not yet filed their returns for these tax periods and FBR has extended an opportunity to those taxpayers who could not file the return due to some technical reason of the e-filing system.
In this, connection, the FBR has issued electronic intimations notices to the non-filers of sales tax returns and advised them to send their problems at [email protected] by October 21, 2011. The FBR has further clarified that those taxpayers who will communicate problem of e-filing on the above referred email address will not be charged any penalty of late filing if they do so up to October 21, 2011. This last opportunity to file the return after launching of newly introduced sales tax return by the FBR starting from this financial year has been offered by the FBR after resolving all the know problems in the e-filing system.
Sources said that now taxpayers have stated filing returns for tax periods of July and August 2011 without facing any problem and returns for this month will be filed in a timely manner. The return filing date of sales tax is 15th of every month and those taxpayers who make any tax payment can file the return within three days after 15th of the month.
One of the electronic notices issued to a non-filer by the FBR system says, "The FBR e-filing system shows that you have not e-filed ST&FE return for the tax period of July, 2011 despite expiry of extended date of filing of return. If you have been unable to file the return due to some technical reasons of e-filing system, then you are advised to submit details of your problems latest by October 21, 2011 at the following email address by providing name and cell number of the person responsible for e-filing: [email protected] After analysing your problem, the FBR technical resource will guide you accordingly for enabling you to file the return. In such case, no penalty will be imposed for late filing of return for this tax period", the FBR electronic notice added.