Despite the FBR claim to have automated system for the revision of sales tax returns, the taxpayers are still facing immense difficulties to revise their monthly ST returns, Business Recorder has learnt. A large number of revised sales tax returns are waiting for the approval of the tax collectors, who are still authorised to grant permission for the revision of returns.
President Karachi Sales Tax Bar Association (KSTBA) Khushnood A Khan, while talking to Business Recorder on Wednesday said that income tax payers have complete authority to revise their returns electronically. However, the indirect taxpayers are still deprived of e-filing their revised ST returns.
He further said that the taxpayers, who earlier were authorised to revise their returns without any prior approval of the sales tax collectors, are now required to revise their monthly ST returns with the permission of the collectors, albeit the board's claim to have automated system for that purpose.
According to section 26(3) of the Sales Tax Act, 1990, a registered person can file a revised return within 120 days of the filing of return under section 26(1) to correct omission or wrong declaration, if any, with the approval of the concerned commissioner. However, the FBR has failed to provide any module in e-portal for electronic approval of concerned commissioner, Khan said.
Moreover, he said the process of revision of sales tax returns, which could easily be completed within a week, is taking months because of the mentioned reason. He requested the authority concerned to look into the matter to facilitate the taxpayers.