The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has begun sending SMS messages to taxpayers, reminding them to file their income tax returns before the deadline. While the move is generally being seen as a positive step to raise awareness and ensure timely compliance, the messages have also been sent to individuals who have already filed their returns for the current tax year.
According to tax experts, those who have already filed can simply ignore these reminders or share them with others as a way of promoting the civic responsibility of tax compliance. However, many argue that such blanket notices create unnecessary confusion and stress among compliant taxpayers.
In a separate update, the FBR has once again enabled the tax recovery option on its online portal. The feature was initially launched but removed within just two days, raising questions about the planning and execution of system updates. The repeated changes highlight gaps in FBR’s coordination and lack of clear communication with taxpayers.
Observers are questioning who will hold the authority accountable for these mismanagements, which not only burden taxpayers but also undermine confidence in the system. As the return filing deadline nears, smooth and transparent operations remain critical for ensuring compliance and trust in the tax system.
