1.7M Filers Report Zero Income, FBR Preps Audits

ISLAMABAD: A staggering 1.7 million individuals—nearly one-third of all return filers—have declared zero taxable income for the current fiscal year, igniting alarm at the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), which has processed 5.5 million submissions, per a news report.

FBR analysis exposes a disturbing trend: 977,000 filers reported lower income than last year, including exporters claiming losses, triggering audit preparations to unearth tax evasion.

“We’ve flagged 977,000 returns with declining income. Exporters showing losses will receive notices post-October 31, demanding revisions or facing legal action,” FBR sources warned.

Of 5.5 million returns, over 1.7 million claim nil income. Yet officials hail the data haul as a weapon to expand Pakistan’s narrow tax base and convert it into revenue.

The FBR bombarded taxpayers with three reminders to file returns, with post-October 31 messages targeting lower-income filers. 2,000 new auditors have been recruited for intensive audits.

FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial confirmed the crackdown: 853,000 filers were alerted that the FBR holds transaction data and must file accurately. “We’ll issue two notices before ex parte assessments for non-compliance,” he vowed, pledging strict action against income concealment.

The FBR extended the filing deadline to October 31, expecting three million more returns in the final rush.