Islamabad: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has announced that starting November, stringent legal actions will be taken against individuals who fail to file their income tax returns. FBR Chairman Rashid Langriyal confirmed that there would be no further extensions beyond the October 14 deadline for submitting tax returns.

According to Zameen.Com, Chairman Langriyal, during a media briefing, highlighted the increase in income tax returns filed this year, totaling over 4 million—a significant rise from the previous year. Despite this progress, the FBR is set to enforce strict penalties against those who remain non-compliant with tax filing requirements. As directed by the Prime Minister, non-filers are to face serious legal repercussions which include bans on purchasing property and vehicles, restrictions on foreign travel, suspension of mobile SIM cards, and disconnection of utility services.

Furthermore, the FBR intends to remove the non-filers category from the tax laws and gradually prohibit their involvement in up to 15 different financial activities. This policy is supported by major industrialists who agree that it will bolster revenue from compliant taxpayers and penalize those evading taxes. The upcoming regulations will also restrict non-filers from making large cash transactions, acquiring property, and making certain types of investments. Properties undervalued in tax declarations may be subjected to government acquisition.

Business leaders have expressed support for the new measures but emphasized the need for consistent and sustainable enforcement. They suggest increasing the number of auditors to effectively monitor and scrutinize non-filers’ activities. The FBR has issued a stern reminder for taxpayers to adhere to the filing deadline to avoid facing legal consequences as the government ramps up its tax compliance efforts.