Only around 100,000 of the 1.2 million registered individual taxpayers required to submit income tax returns for the 2025/2026 year of assessment have filed their returns so far, Deputy Commissioner General of the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) J.M.S.S. Rathnawardana said.
He made this statement at a media briefing held at the Department of Government Information yesterday (Oct. 19) to inform the media about the deadline for submitting annual income tax returns for the 2025/2026 year of assessment.
He said 1.2 million taxpayers were registered with the IRD and that all of them have to submit their income tax returns online on or before Nov. 30, 2026.
Online submission of income tax returns has been available since July 01, he said, urging the 1.1 million taxpayers who had not yet filed their returns to do so promptly within the next one and a half months.
He also clarified that individuals whose taxes had been deducted from their salaries or bank interest might still be required to file income tax returns, even if they believed they had no additional tax to pay.
The Commissioner General of Inland Revenue has the authority to impose a penalty of up to Rs. 400,000 for failure to submit the relevant return by the deadline, he said.
Alternatively, legal action could be taken.
If found guilty by a Magistrate’s Court, a person could face a prison sentence of up to 06 months and a fine, he said. An estimated assessment could also be issued.
He further stated that the IRD was using social media platforms to remind taxpayers to submit their returns promptly.
Deputy Commissioner General of the IRD Dr Nadee Dissanayake said further information could be obtained by calling the department’s hotline – 1944.
Inland Revenue Commissioner Nandana Kumara said all individuals currently registered as taxpayers were required to submit the relevant returns through the IRD’s website, www.ird.gov.lk.
(Source: Aruna)