The number of tax returns filed during Tax Year 2019 till February 28, 2020 stood at 2,472,609 against 1,695,560 returns filed in Tax Year 2018, reflecting an increase of 45 percent.

According to Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), it is clarified that number of tax returns filed in Tax Year 2018 till 28th February 2019 were 1,695,560 whereas the number of tax returns filed in Tax Year 2019 till 28th February, 2020 were 2,472,609 which showed an increase of 45 percent compared to corresponding month in the last Tax Year.

FBR has further stated that date for filing tax returns were extended in Tax Year 2018 and the last date for filing tax returns was set as 9th August, 2019. The news items depicted the comparison of tax returns filed till the last date of Tax Year 2018 with last date of Tax Year 2019 which gave the perception that the actual tax returns filed in Tax Year 2019 have decreased compared to Tax Year 2018.

FBR has further added that the total period from the last date of Tax Year 2018 till last date of Tax Year 2019 consists of almost six months. This period of six months for Tax Year 2019 is comparably very short with that of Tax Year 2018. The number of Tax Returns 2,472,609 filed in six months for Tax Year 2019 shows great achievement of FBR.

The people continue to file tax returns to come on active Taxpayers List even after last date but the returns can only be filed by paying surcharge after the set last date, FBR added.