No question will be asked about the income of the businessmen filing tax returns for the first time this year, nor would they be asked to pay tax for the past years. All returns will be accepted under the universal self-assessment scheme (USAS).
This was stated by Regional Commissioner of Income Tax (RCIT), Southern Region, Abrar Ahmed, while talking to Business Recorder on Monday.
He said under the tax reforms the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) was pursuing a policy of voluntary compliance, but that did not mean that those, not filing tax returns, would be left scot-free.
The department has full information about the businessmen and shopkeepers paying substantial utility bills or about people selling and purchasing property or buying new cars. If these people did not file tax returns this year, investigations would by initiated about their income.
It may be pointed out that the department has been collecting information from the utility departments, registrar of properties and local car manufacturers about the potential taxpayers.
It hopes that these people would file tax returns this year, otherwise a major investigation operation would be launched after the last date of filing tax returns is over.
The RCIT has made elaborate arrangements to receive tax returns both at the Income Tax House and Hashoo Centre, ahead of September 30, the last date of filing returns for the non-corporate sector.
The return receiving counters have been set up at the Income Tax House at the request of Karachi Income Tax Bar Association (KITBA), although the offices of income tax commissioners have been temporarily shifted to Hashoo Center in Saddar.
According to the schedule of receiving returns, salaried class or their management will file returns at the Medium Taxpayer Unit (MTU) at the Income Tax House while tax returns for Zone A and B will be received both the at the old building and the new RCIT venue. Returns from the taxpayers falling in Zone-E will be received at the Red Crescent building near Cantt Station.
Arrangements for receiving return for non-corporate businesses of the corporate entities have been made at the new Corporate Sector building in Gulistan Jauhar.
Meanwhile, the RCIT has started a vigorous campaign to apprise the taxpayers of the advantages of filing tax returns by September 30 under universal self -assessment scheme.
All income tax commissioners have been directed to hold corner meetings in collaboration with trade associations at major markets in the city to persuade shopkeepers to file tax returns to save themselves from the hassle of inquiry against their businesses.
They would also distribute tax return forms among the probable taxpayers and guide them in filling return forms. Banners, advising shopkeepers to file tax returns by September 30, will also be displayed at vintage points in the city.