7.2mn taxpayers with TINs do not file returns, says NBR chairman

The chairman says among those who file returns around 3 million do not pay income tax

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan has revealed that 7.2 million individual taxpayers do not file their income tax returns despite having a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).

He said among those who do file tax returns, around 3 million are not paying income tax.

The NBR, citing the chairman, disclosed the information at a media briefing on Monday.

The briefing, citing information from the income tax department's revenue collection review meeting in July, mentioned that the NBR chairman has instructed officials to encourage non-filers with a TIN to submit their tax returns.

He directed the maximum utilisation of manpower to ensure return filing, saying: “To collect the necessary funds for state administration, there is no alternative to increasing the income tax share of total revenue collection.

“We have repeatedly failed to meet this target. In the outgoing fiscal year, the income tax sector’s share of the NBR’s total revenue collection has not increased, but rather decreased slightly.”

Quoting the chairman, the NBR press release said: “To increase income tax collection, it must be collected from 7.2 million taxpayers who do not file income tax returns despite having TINs, and about 3 million taxpayers who do not pay income tax despite filing returns, according to their ability.”

Abdur urged income tax officials to prioritise these 10 million taxpayers in the new fiscal year 2025-26.

He also directed to find new taxpayers by strengthening survey and spot assessment activities.

The NBR chief directed the commissioners in the meeting to increase the collection of outstanding taxes during the discussion.

He also asked the taxpayers to complete the transfer of all documents within this month to “ensure harassment-free service”.