1 lakh taxpayers file returns online in three months

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has reached a new milestone as one lakh taxpayers submitted their FY22 returns online between August 25 and Wednesday.

FY22 return submission began on July 1 this year, but online submission started on August 25 due to some administrative formalities, including incorporating relevant laws for the current fiscal year.

The NBR revealed the data on Wednesday while tax officials and the revenue administration celebrated the moment at the head office in the capital’s Segunbagicha.

"It is a matter to be celebrated not only by the NBR but also taxpayers as online return submission has made it easier and comfortable for the latter to comply with tax laws," NBR Chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem said during the celebration.

Around 17 lakh taxpayers have so far submitted their FY22 returns since July 1. There are around 82 lakh taxpayer identification number (TIN) holders across the country at present, NBR officials said.

They said online return submission has drastically increased across the country this year due to the budgetary amnesty for TIN holders who have never filed returns and also because showing return submission evidence has been made mandatory to get several essential services.

Commenting on the matter, NBR Member (tax audit intelligence and audit) Pradyut Kumar Sarkar said the number of online return submissions for FY22 rose to one lakh after digital filing started on August 25 this year.

He said more than 61,000 taxpayers filed FY21 returns digitally between November 15, 2021 and June 2022.

“We are trying to promote the system and woo taxpayers by arranging programmes and webinars. We are also trying to minimise the time needed to file returns and the hassles associated with it,” said the official.

He added that the one lakh digital return submission milestone was celebrated to encourage the NBR team so that they increase their efforts.

NBR Member (tax information, management and services) Md Jahid Hassan told The Business Post, “We are getting positive responses from taxpayers about digital return filing.”

He said taxpayers had prepared their returns online and then submissions soared.

In October last year, the NBR introduced the online return submission system for individual taxpayers.

The tax authority is currently observing the tax service month to facilitate FY22 return submission, which will end on November 30.