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Federal cabinet, on the recommendations of the Finance Minister, has approved extension of closing date of tax amnesty schemes for declaration of foreign assets and domestic income and assets till July 31st, 2018. This has been effected through a Presidential Ordinance.
The deadline for filing amnesty declarations was June 30th, 2018. However, during last week a large number of representations have been received from trade bodies, professional associations and general public for extending the closing date due to short operational period after clearing legal and procedural challenges. The extension was also needed to remove ambiguities through clarifications and explanations required to provide certainty to the general public and to ensure effective implementation of the schemes. In addition, declarants of foreign assets faced problems in the payment of tax on foreign assets and repatriation of liquid assets.
The Finance Minister recommended extension of the cut-off date for availing amnesty schemes as there has been an overwhelming demand and response which is on the rise. The date has been extended by one month to enable general pubic to file declarations for undeclared foreign assets and undeclared domestic assets and income and thereby get their tax affairs in order. It will also help the government in bringing undocumented persons, assets and income into the documented sector. Depending on flows, the schemes have potential to bring in macroeconomic and fiscal stability in the economy.
