Manual Input of All VAT Paper Returns Set by NBR

The NBR added that, in many instances, taxpayers are being automatically charged interest and penalties because paper returns are not entered into the system on time.

To make the VAT system more digital and taxpayer-friendly, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has taken the initiative to store all VAT paper returns in the e-VAT System.

For this purpose, a new sub-module called 'Hard Copy Return Entry' has been added to the e-VAT System. This information was given by the NBR on Monday (January 5).

The NBR said that taxpayers who have filed monthly VAT returns in hard copy form in the past can now enter them online themselves.

Currently, the Central Processing Center (CPC) of the concerned VAT Commissionerate is used to include the paper returns filed by taxpayers in the e-VAT System.

In this process, VAT officials enter the data. However, if the information is incorrect, it creates complications in determining liability. Besides, it takes more time to enter a large number of paper returns online.

The NBR further said that in many cases, interest and penalties are being automatically imposed on taxpayers as paper returns are not entered into the system on time.

As a result, a significant number of taxpayers are unable to use the e-VAT system due to the obligation to pay penalties when filing returns online later.

With the introduction of the new Hard Copy Return Entry sub-module, those who have filed hard copy returns within the stipulated time as per Section 64 of the Value Added Tax and Supplementary Duty Act, 2012, will be able to enter them in the e-VAT System without any penalty or interest.

Taxpayers will receive a link to the e-VAT System through notifications on their e-mail and mobile phones, through which this sub-module can be easily used.

The NBR said that all hard copy returns filed earlier till March 31, 2026 will have the opportunity to be entered in the system without any penalty or interest.

Once this process is completed, taxpayers will be able to file VAT returns online without any interruption in the future.

The National Board of Revenue hopes that this initiative will further enhance transparency and accountability in the tax system. At the same time, the organization has sought the full cooperation of esteemed taxpayers in the ongoing process of making the VAT system completely digital.