NBR initiates entry of all paper VAT returns into e-VAT System
Under the existing system, paper VAT returns submitted by taxpayers are entered into the e-VAT System through the Central Processing Centre (CPC) of the respective VAT Commissionerates.
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has taken a special initiative to preserve all VAT returns of taxpayers in the e-VAT System.
To facilitate the entry of all monthly VAT returns that were previously submitted in hard copy format into the online system, a new sub-module titled "Hard Copy Return Entry" has been added to the e-VAT System.
In this regard, the NBR issued a circular today (5 January) outlining the operational procedures of the new sub-module. By following the circular, taxpayers will be able to enter their previously submitted hard copy VAT returns into the e-VAT System on their own, said a NBR press release.
Under the existing system, paper VAT returns submitted by taxpayers are entered into the e-VAT System through the Central Processing Centre (CPC) of the respective VAT Commissionerates.
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In this process, VAT officials manually input the data from hard copy returns. Entering a large volume of paper returns by VAT offices is a time-consuming task.
Due to delays in entering paper returns into the e-VAT System, taxpayers are often automatically charged interest and penalties. As a result, many taxpayers are unable to submit online VAT returns, as the system does not allow online filing without first paying the imposed penalties.
With the introduction of the Hard Copy Return Entry sub-module, taxpayers who submitted their hard copy VAT returns within the stipulated time as per Section 64 of the VAT and Supplementary Duty Act, 2012, will now be able to enter those returns into the e-VAT System themselves without any penalty or interest.
Taxpayers will receive notifications containing the e-VAT System link via email and mobile phone, enabling them to easily access and use the new sub-module.
Taxpayers may enter all previously submitted hard copy VAT returns into the system without any penalty or interest until 31 March 2026. Once all past paper returns are entered into the e-VAT System, taxpayers will be able to submit all VAT returns online seamlessly.
The NBR seeks the wholehearted cooperation of all taxpayers in its ongoing initiative to digitalise all tax administration activities and to ensure transparency and accountability in the tax system.
