ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Saturday extended last date for filing of income tax returns until Dec 17 to facilitate taxpayers.

The FBR spokesperson in a statement said that a number of queries have been received about extension of last date for filing of returns. However, this date is not being extended any further.

Since the last date of filing of return falls on a non-working day, hence as per General Clauses Act the closing date for filing of Income Tax returns falling on Dec 15 as per previous announcement is automatically extended to next working day Dec 17.

The tax offices will be extending help in filing of returns on Monday till close of office hours and the returns will be received electronically till 12 midnight. Moreover, the commissioners are also authorised to grant extension for a period up to 15 days on case-to-case basis.

Although the receipt of return will not be blocked after due date, yet as per existing law, the names of persons who fail to file return by the closing date (or by the date extended by the commissioners) will not be put on the Active Taxpayers List.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2018