Karachi Tax Bar Association (KTBA) termed various online modules introduced by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) as problem-prone for the taxpayers. In a letter sent to Chairman FBR Tariq Bajwa, the Association said the Board had introduced various online modules for income tax returns filing, withholding statements submission under section 165; sales tax returns; taxpayers' registration and for paying tax challan through IRIS.
It claimed that none of the systems had neither fully operated nor provided fruits for the taxpayers and added that those modules were not result-oriented. Furthermore, the KTBA said that withholding agents, who were deducting or collecting income tax on behalf of recipients, were unable to deposit the same in the respective banks.
Similarly, the deposit of advance tax is also badly affected with the introduction of the system as the individuals are now required to deposit the advance tax on or before September 15. In the same way, withholding agents should also deposit the tax within seven days of its deduction that will lead to make majority of taxpayers' non-filers.
Keeping the said in view, the KTBA has requested to extend the date of filing of statements under section 165 and urged the FBR to declare an amnesty for late deposit of deducted tax and late payment of advance tax under section 147 for tax year 2016.