No tax fair this year: NBR

Individual taxpayers will have to submit their income tax returns at tax offices this year too as the annual tax fair will not be held this time to avoid mass gatherings amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) took the decision in a meeting on October 7 regarding facilitating submission of tax returns.

The idea of holding a tax fair was to motivate people into paying taxes and increasing the country's tax-GDP ratio, one of the lowest globally.

The initiative created a lot of enthusiasm among taxpayers to furnish returns at the fair.

The tax authority said it would create festive environment in all field offices of taxes from November 1 to November 30, so that taxpayers can furnish returns easily.

Field offices will open booths and help desk in open spaces to receive tax returns and help taxpayers this year, according to a decision taken in a meeting at the end of last week.

The meeting also decided to have an arrangement for providing E-TIN registration and re-registration services at the booths. 

The NBR had been holding the month-long annual tax fair for years, which usually takes place in November. But due to the coronavirus pandemic, taxpayers had to submit their income tax returns at tax offices last year.

The NBR said this year it would set up separate booths at the secretariat and Officers' Club for the first two weeks of November, so that the government officials and employees can submit their tax returns.

Besides, separate booths will also be set up for the members of the armed forces.

It would observe National Income Tax Day on November 30, the final day of submission of tax returns.