ISLAMABAD, Aug 25: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has extended the date for online submission of sales tax and federal excise return for the tax period July 2008 up to August 31.

However, the last date for payment of due taxes shall remain unchanged on August 20, 2008, said a sales tax circular no. 05 issued here on Monday. The last date for payment of due taxes were already extended.

An official announcement issued here said that the business community and the e-intermediaries have shown an overwhelming response and so far 44,309 taxpayers have obtained e-enrollment at FBR portal.

Of these 32,296 taxpayers have filed their sales tax returns, added the announcement.

For providing telephonic help in using the system a contact centre, which operates round the clock, is also established at (051) 111-772-772.

For those taxpayers who have difficulty in working on the eFBR portal due to Internet or power problem, FBR has established self service Kiosks and operator assisted help desks in the Regional Tax Offices.

In addition to the arrangements, a data centre with high speed bandwidth of internet has been established with an adequate setup of computer equipment to handle the e-filing.

The measure aims at requiring the registered persons to file their declarations electronically without going through the hassle of making long queues in front of banks for paying sales tax and submitting the returns.