B Mirror Reports :  The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has taken a special initiative to make VAT return submission easier by preserving all taxpayers’ returns in the e-VAT system. As a result, taxpayers will be able to enter their previously submitted hard copy VAT returns into the e-VAT system on their own without any fines or interest, according to the authority.

On Monday (5 January), a circular was issued outlining the operational procedures of the new sub-module. In a press release, the NBR said that by properly following the circular, taxpayers will be able to independently enter their previously submitted paper returns into the e-VAT system.

The NBR explained that under the existing system, paper returns submitted by taxpayers were entered into the e-VAT system through the Central Processing Center (CPC) of the respective VAT commissionrates, where VAT officials input the return data. However, this process often created complications in determining responsibility in case of errors, and entering a large number of returns took a considerable amount of time.

As a result, in many cases returns were not entered into the system on time, leading to the automatic imposition of interest and penalties on taxpayers. Later, when these taxpayers attempted to submit returns online, they were unable to do so until the penalties were paid.

With the introduction of the new sub-module, taxpayers who submitted hard copy returns within the timeframe specified under Section 64 of the Value Added Tax and Supplementary Duty Act, 2012 will be able to enter their returns into the e-VAT system themselves without any interest or penalties.

The NBR further said that notifications containing the e-VAT system link will be sent to taxpayers via email and mobile phones. Using that link, taxpayers can easily access and use the “Hard Copy Return Entry” sub-module.

All previously submitted paper returns can be entered into the e-VAT system without any fines or interest until 31 March. Once this process is completed, taxpayers will be able to submit all future VAT returns online without interruption.

Through this initiative, transparency and accountability in VAT management will increase further, and the full digital transformation of tax administration will be accelerated. The NBR has sought the full cooperation of taxpayers to achieve this goal.