ISLAMABAD: With the introduction of new tax return forms for tax year 2019, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has decided to launch ‘Income Tax Return App’ next week to help individuals and businesses file their tax returns.

The new electronic form for individuals, salaried individuals and association of persons for tax year 2019 will also be uploaded on the FBR website after making necessary amendments. The deadline for the submission of returns has been set on Sept 30.

FBR Official Spokesperson and Member Policy Inland Revenue Hamid Ateeq told Dawn that a new icon will be made part of Tax Asaan Mobile next week. He said the app will facilitate filing of e-returns and will be available on the Google Play store.

However, he did not disclose whether the App will also support key tools like income tax calculator, house rent allowance calculator, rent receipt generator or any other tools to facilitate taxpayers in e-filing of tax return.

The spokesperson, however, said that an online tutorial will be available to guide filers. The new App will make tax filing handy and less time consuming, he added.

The spokesperson said the FBR is also drafting new rules to issue licenses to certain individuals for submission of bulk e-returns. Currently, two private parties have their own Apps, which are being used for return filing. These returns filed through these apps are submitted online at the FBR system, he explained.

Under the proposed rules, the FBR will allow licence holder to submit returns in bulk through the FBR system.

To further facilitate taxpayers, the spokesperson said the FBR is working on coming up with sector- specific return forms to facilitate filing. He said the draft return forms for various sectors will be notified by next week which will also include small manufacturers and educational institutions.

At the same time, he said simplified return forms will be introduced for small hospitals and clinics to facilitate them in filing their tax returns. The move is in line with the FBR’s ongoing drive to bring educational institutions and hospitals under the tax net.

The spokesperson said the FBR is also working on devising simple return forms for jewellers, which will address their specific issues in order to facilitate them in filing their tax returns.

He said the draft for these return forms will be made public on the FBR website next week. FBR expects that the sector-specific return forms will encourage bulk of returns from these sectors.

The government expects total number of tax returns to reach four million during the tax year 2019. However, during the last tax year, the FBR received over 2.5m returns — highest ever in the country’s history.

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2019