Taxpayers facing problems in obtaining CPR numbers

The taxpayers are still facing problems in obtaining computerised payment receipts (CPRs) numbers on depositing tax amount at some National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) branches despite launching of banking automation project.
A sales tax consultant Faraz Fazal on Thursday explained e-filing of returns and procedures required for filing such returns to the business community at a seminar jointly organised by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda) and Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI).
He said the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has launched the banking automation project for issuance of CPRs to the taxpayers. However, there are still procedural flaws in the system, which should be rectified.
Sometimes banks refused to give CPR numbers, which is mandatory for electronic filing of income tax as well as sales tax returns. The FBR and banks should jointly resolve the issue for implementation of e-filing facility.
The Smeda and RCCI have jointly inaugurated a free legal desk, called 'Third Party Facilitation Center (TPFC)' at chamber's premises to facilitate business community, legal experts and others. At this center, SMEs will get free legal guidance and information regarding their legal issues using the forum of Network of Legal Service Providers.
The presentation covered sales tax and income tax e-filing including documentation requirement for electronic filing of returns.
Faraz said the board has increased the time period from 90 to 120 days for filing of revised sales tax and federal excise return form in budget (2008-2009). Under sub-section (3) of section 26 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 and sub-section (4) of section 4 of the Federal Excise Act, 2005, a registered person may, subject to the approval of the collector of sales tax having jurisdiction, file a revised return within 90 days of the filing of the return to correct any omission or wrong declaration made therein.
He said the composite monthly return has been prescribed by the Board for sales tax and federal excise registered persons but provisions regarding previous payment arrangement remained unchanged. There was a need to give legal backing to such changes. Moreover, necessary enabling provision also needs to be made in the Federal Excise Act, 2005 for filing of composite return. Therefore, amendments have been made in section 4 of Federal Excise Act, 2005 to incorporate these changes.
In this regard, the FBR has received frequent requests for condonation of time limit for submission of revised sales tax-cum-federal excise return.
Therefore, sub-section (3) of section 26 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 and sub-section (4) of section 4 of the Federal Excise Act, 2005, the word "90" has been substituted with the word "120". The board has also reduced excise duty penalty from Rs 10,000 to Rs 5,000 for non-filing of returns by the persons dealing in excisable commodities, Faraz added.