The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has announced that all its field offices will remain operational over the weekend, specifically on Saturday and Sunday, September 28 and 29, 2024, to facilitate the collection of duties and taxes. This move is part of the FBR’s efforts to ensure that taxpayers have additional time to fulfill their tax obligations as the end of the fiscal quarter approaches.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, FBR stated that its Customs Department’s field formations will also observe extended working hours during this period. Offices will remain open until 10 PM on both September 28 and 29, and until midnight on Monday, September 30, allowing taxpayers to settle their dues in time for the quarter’s deadline.
The FBR further noted that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and authorized branches of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) will be cooperating to provide uninterrupted banking services during this period, ensuring that taxpayers can make their payments without any delays. The Chief Collectors have been directed to establish liaison with the SBP and NBP branches to ensure smooth coordination and timely processing of transactions.
This decision comes as part of the FBR’s broader effort to maximize tax collection at the end of the fiscal quarter, which is crucial for meeting revenue targets. By offering extended office hours and facilitating tax payments over the weekend, the FBR is aiming to minimize any potential last-minute rushes and avoid bottlenecks in the collection process.
The announcement also serves as a reminder to businesses and individual taxpayers to settle their dues before the deadline to avoid penalties. The additional weekend office hours are designed to offer flexibility to those who may not have had the opportunity to make payments during regular office hours.
The decision to extend the working hours of tax offices is a common practice during critical periods of the tax year, particularly when deadlines for tax filings or payments approach. This practice helps accommodate the large volume of taxpayers looking to complete their transactions and ensures the timely collection of revenue.
The FBR’s move is also a reflection of the ongoing drive to enhance the efficiency of Pakistan’s tax collection system. In recent years, the FBR has taken several steps to improve taxpayer services, including digitalizing tax payments, simplifying filing procedures, and offering more convenient options for individuals and businesses to meet their tax obligations.
With the extension of office hours and cooperation with banking institutions, the FBR is committed to ensuring that taxpayers can make their payments on time and without any inconvenience. The proactive approach to keeping offices open over the weekend is expected to ease the burden on both taxpayers and the tax authority, ensuring a smoother end-of-quarter tax collection process.
Taxpayers are encouraged to make use of the extended hours to avoid the risk of late payments, which could result in penalties or other consequences. This is especially important for businesses that are required to file and pay multiple types of taxes, including customs duties, sales taxes, and income taxes.
The FBR also highlighted that this initiative is in line with its broader efforts to improve the country’s revenue collection framework and increase compliance rates. By offering more flexible options for tax payments, the authority hopes to encourage more taxpayers to fulfill their obligations and contribute to the national exchequer.
In conclusion, the FBR’s decision to keep its tax offices open over the weekend and extend working hours until midnight on September 30 is a strategic move aimed at ensuring smooth tax collection as the fiscal quarter draws to a close. The collaboration with the State Bank of Pakistan and the National Bank of Pakistan further supports this effort, ensuring that taxpayers have access to the necessary banking services to complete their payments. Taxpayers are advised to take advantage of the extended hours to settle their dues in a timely manner and avoid any last-minute complications.