KARACHI, Nov 5: A total of 28,431 retailers filed tax returns this year, as against 14,435 last year, showing an increase of 83 per cent. This year, a remarkable increase was also noted amongst retailers having a turnover of over Rs5 million.

According to official figures, 1,325 retailers with annual turnover of over Rs5 million filed their tax returns up to Oct 31, as against only 14 showing a phenomenal growth.

Similarly, a large number of tax returns were filed by other Small and Medium enterprises (SMEs). Those included are importers, exporters, contractors and suppliers, filing a total of 29,099 returns, as compared to 18,866 last year -- an increase of 54 per cent.

Contribution of SMEs towards economy has gone a long way, especially since the government has started facilitating taxpayers, president Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (Unisame) Zulfikar Thaver said.