ISLAMABAD, Oct 1: The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) on Wednesday extended up to Oct 11 the last date for filing of income tax returns for the tax year 2003.

CBR’s official spokesman Vakil Ahmad Khan told Dawn that the decision would facilitate those taxpayers who were unable to file their returns with the department before the due date of Sept 30.

The decision was taken following the low filing of tax returns with the department, he said and added that the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry had also been demanding for a date extension.

He said the CBR expected a deposit of more than Rs1.6 billion with 1.2 million tax returns filed under self-assessment scheme against Rs1.8 billion deposited last year with 1.02 million returns.