The number of income tax returns received by Eastern Region by October 15 has jumped to 189,000, which is 30 percent higher than last year, when 132,000 returns were received. According to authorities in the Eastern Region, of the 189,000 tax returns, 39,000 had been received between October 1 and 15. They, however, pointed out that the figure was likely to further rise after final calculations. As the number of returns is more, therefore, the revenue will also be phenomenally up opposed to last year.
To facilitate the taxpayers and on strong demand of chambers of commerce, various trade bodies and tax bar associations, the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) had extended the last date of filing of income tax returns from September 30 to October 15, to enable them to file their returns without any penalty.
Explaining reasons for surge in number of returns this year, the authorities pointed out that last year they had brought over 50,000 new taxpayers under the tax net and most of them had filed their returns this year. Moreover, the campaign launched by the region during the month of September 2004 to educate taxpayers on tax matters, particularly the Universal Self Assessment Scheme (USAS), also yielded very positive results.
The department set up camps at big markets and other prominent spots to provide assistance to taxpayers in filling the tax returns apart from highlighting benefits of USAS. This exercise persuaded the taxpayers who contributed to the national exchequer by filing tax returns voluntarily, they said.
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