ISLAMABAD, Sept 27: The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) has extended working hours in the income tax offices for receiving income tax returns for the tax year 2003 to facilitate the taxpayers.

The CBR official spokesman and member direct taxes, Vakil Ahmed Khan said on Saturday the income tax offices would remain open till mid night on September 29-30 in order to facilitate the filing of tax returns.

Mr Khan said besides, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has also agreed to keep open the authorized branches of the SBP as well as the National Bank of Pakistan as per schedule on September 29th till 8.00 pm and September 30th till 10.00 pm, respectively.

Moreover, for the convenience of the taxpayers, the CBR has requested the SBP to arrange additional counters at all authorized branches of the National Bank and State Bank, he said.

According to the spokesman, the last date for filing of the income tax returns by non-corporate taxpayers for the tax year 2003 was September 30, which he said would not be extended.