ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has asked taxpayers to update their profile with necessary information by December 31, 2020 in order to avoid fine and penalty.
The FBR in a statement on Thursday said that complexity of return forms was an embodiment of the complexity of tax law. “Nevertheless, there is a dire need to simplify return forms without compromising on data required to verify accuracy of the declared version,” it added.
Instead of endeavoring to obtain all the relevant information in the income tax return, a new section has been introduced under which taxpayers profile may be prescribed in order to capture data relevant to the taxpayer.
Persons who are already registered before September 30, 2020 and are deriving business income or incomes subject to final taxation, trusts, welfare institutions, non-profit organizations and such other persons prescribed by the board are required to submit updated profit by December 31, 2020.
Persons who obtain their registration after September 30, 2020 will require to furnish such profile within 90 days of registration. In case of any change in particulars of information, such persons shall update their profile within 90 days of the change in particulars.
The profile contains information relevant to income regarding bank accounts, utility connections, business premises including all manufacturing, storage or retail outlets operated or leased by the taxpayer, types of businesses etc.
Moreover, if a person fails to submit updated profile within the due date or time period as extended by the FBR under Section 214A of Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, such person shall not be included in the Active Taxpayers List for the latest tax year ending prior to the aforesaid due date or extended date.
However, upon filing or updating the profile, such persons shall be allowed to be placed on the active taxpayers list upon payment of surcharge which will be Rs20,000 in the case of a company, Rs10,000 in the case of Association of Persons (AOP) and Rs1,000 in the case of an individual.
Further, a penalty for non-filing or not updating the profile is also proposed at the rate of Rs2500 for each day of default subject to a minimum penalty of Rs10,000.
