Govt. extends deadline to open tax files

Sri Lankans will have more time to comply with the country’s new tax regulations, with a fresh government decision to extend the deadline to open tax files until February 1, 2024.

The decision was taken to allow people more time to comply with the new requirement, State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.  “Citizens can log on to the Inland Revenue Department’s website and register themselves through the online system. The only requirement is to have a valid national identification card,” he said.

According to new regulations introduced by then 2024 budget, a person’s Tax Identification Number will be made a mandatory requirement to open current accounts at any bank, register motor vehicles, renew driver’s licenses, obtain approval for building plans or register land or title to a land by buyers.