ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has launched single sales tax return (tax period of January 2024) for the telecom sector to be filed in February, 2024 through the Single Sales Tax Portal.
The FBR has issued instructions to all telecom companies here on Thursday.
The old sales tax return will not be available for filing the return for January, 2024 relating to the telecom sector. The uploading of sales tax invoices of January, 2024 has been enabled by the FBR for filing of single return, FBR added.
According to the FBR’s instructions, in pursuance of the government’s desire to facilitate taxpayers, promote ease of doing business and reduce compliance costs, FBR has developed a Single Sales Tax Portal/ Return, in consultation with all Provincial Sales Tax Authorities, to simplify the process of filing of sales tax return.
It can enhance users’ experience, minimize errors, and provide a centralized platform for accessing relevant tax information. It will also promote better compliance and facilitate easier communication between taxpayers and tax authorities. Streamlining processes and reducing duplication can result in cost savings for both taxpayers and tax authorities.
Through this portal i.e. www.iris.fbr.gov.pk, sales tax registered persons shall be able to file a single sales tax return instead of filing separate returns to FBR and each of the different Provincial Sales Tax Authorities. Thus, it will save time and effort besides simplifying the return filing process. It will minimize data entry and address the issues of data and calculation errors. The system will allow apportioning of input tax adjustment as well as tax payments across the sales tax authorities, eliminating the need for reconciliations and payment transfers. A great benefit of this system is that it will encourage harmonization of tax procedures across Federal and Provincial Government Revenue Authorities, which will promote national unity, FBR maintained.
In the first phase, the single sales tax return is being launched for the telecommunications sector only (M/S CMPak Limited, M/S Pakistan Mobile Communications Limited, M/S Pak Telecom Mobile Limited, M/S Telenor Pakistan (Pvt.), Limited and M/S Pakistan Telecommunication Company).
It is notified for the information of all concerned that the sales tax return for the tax period of January, 2024 to be filed in February, 2024 for the telecommunications sector will be filed through the Single Sales Tax Portal/Return, FBR said.
The FBR has further directed the telecom sector that in order to allow the registered persons to familiarize themselves with the new system, the uploading of sales tax invoices of January, 2024 has been enabled. The old sales tax return will not be available for filing the return for January, 2024 relating to the telecommunications sector.
Therefore, all concerned sales tax registered persons and their representatives are advised to familiarize themselves with the Single Sales Tax Portal/ Return. In case of any query or concern, please contact FBR’s Helpline (Tel. No. 051-111-772-772, and email address: helpline@fbr.gov.pk). Fariduddin Khan, Second Secretary (Provincial Taxes) 051-9216838, email: fariduddin.khan@fbr.gov.pk will be the focal person in this regard.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2024