FPCCI Senior Vice President Saquib Fayyaz Magoon has urged the government to extend the deadline for filing income tax returns by one month.

He proposed October 31 as the new deadline. Magoon said taxpayers need more time to complete their filings amid technical problems and rising compliance demands.

Taxpayers Face IRIS Portal Problems

Magoon said taxpayers continue to face difficulties while using the Federal Board of Revenue’s IRIS portal. Slow performance, technical glitches and frequent downtime have delayed the filing process.

He also pointed to changes in tax laws and reporting requirements. These changes have created confusion among taxpayers, he said.

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Taxpayers also need additional time to complete their wealth reconciliation. Magoon said the current deadline does not provide enough time for many taxpayers to finish the process properly.

Extension Could Improve Compliance

The FPCCI senior vice president said inflation and rising business costs have added to taxpayers’ difficulties. Small and medium-sized enterprises face particular pressure, he said.

According to Magoon, a tax return deadline extension would give taxpayers sufficient time to complete their returns. It could also help improve the quality of filings.

He said additional time could encourage more taxpayers to file their returns and become active tax filers.

Call for Government Action

Magoon urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial to take immediate notice of the situation.

He said the government should consider the practical difficulties taxpayers face instead of rushing the filing process.

Magoon added that extending the deadline to October 31 would allow taxpayers to complete their returns with greater accuracy. He said the move could also support better tax compliance.