LAHORE: The Regional Tax Office (RTO) Lahore has recorded a remarkable 162% increase in income tax return filings for the tax year 2024.
In an awareness session held at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Chief Commissioner RTO Lahore Ahmad Shuja announced that the office received 180,645 returns between October 1 and October 20, 2024, compared to 69,061 during the same period in 2023.
The event, aimed at educating the business community on income tax return filing, featured a detailed presentation from Chief Commissioner Shuja on the process and statistics related to tax compliance. LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad, Vice President Shahid Nazir Chaudhry, Executive Committee members, and representatives from various business sectors attended the session.
Chief Commissioner Ahmad Shuja emphasized the importance of timely tax compliance and outlined the benefits of filing tax returns. He reassured the business community that RTO Lahore is dedicated to supporting businesses through the process, providing guidance and resources to make it more accessible. “The response from taxpayers in Lahore has been overwhelming and encouraging,” Shuja stated, highlighting the rising number of tax returns being filed in the region.
LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad thanked the Chief Commissioner for his collaboration and praised RTO Lahore’s efforts to engage the business community. He stressed that timely income tax return filings not only fulfill a legal obligation but also contribute to the national economy. “It is vital for every business to comply with tax regulations to help build a strong financial foundation for the country,” Shad added.
Vice President Shahid Nazir Chaudhry echoed these sentiments, calling for the simplification of tax procedures to further encourage compliance. He appreciated the Chief Commissioner’s efforts to address individual concerns and urged business representatives to actively participate in such sessions.
The event also included an in-depth presentation by RTO Lahore officials on the step-by-step process of filing income tax returns, along with a Q&A session. Participants raised concerns regarding tax exemptions, online filing methods, and the penalties associated with late submissions. The officials provided detailed answers and reassured attendees that their feedback would be considered in future updates to the system.
Executive Committee members of LCCI praised RTO Lahore for its commitment to transparency and for making the tax filing process more user-friendly. They urged the authorities to continue holding such sessions to keep the business community well-informed and engaged in tax compliance efforts.
