The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has extended the deadline for filing income tax returns for tax year 2026 to October 31, giving additional time to taxpayers who were previously required to submit their returns by September 30. The latest extension applies to individuals and other taxpayers whose original filing deadline had already been extended to October 15. The FBR announced the decision through a notification published on its official X account, citing requests received from trade bodies and tax bar associations. The extension has been issued under Section 214A of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, which empowers the tax authority to extend statutory deadlines under the applicable provisions. The decision provides an additional 16 days for eligible taxpayers to complete their returns and fulfil their filing obligations.
The FBR had initially set September 30, 2026, as the deadline for filing income tax returns for the relevant category of taxpayers. However, the board subsequently extended the date to October 15 following representations from business organisations, tax professionals and other stakeholders. The latest decision moves the deadline to October 31, responding to continued concerns about the difficulties faced by taxpayers during the filing process. According to the notification, the extension specifically covers those whose returns were due on September 30 and whose filing date had previously been extended to October 15. Taxpayers should review the applicable filing requirements to determine whether they fall within the scope of the revised deadline.
Requests for additional time were linked to delays in the issuance of return forms and heavy traffic on the FBR’s online filing system. Trade representatives and tax professionals had argued that these issues were creating obstacles for individuals and businesses attempting to submit their returns before the existing deadline. The filing process requires taxpayers to provide relevant income details, calculate their tax liabilities where applicable and complete the required online submissions. Delays in obtaining the necessary forms can leave filers with less time to prepare accurate returns, while technical problems can interrupt the submission process. The extension gives affected taxpayers additional time to address these difficulties, although it does not itself resolve the underlying technical and administrative issues raised by stakeholders.
The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) had formally requested that the government extend the deadline to October 31. FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh urged the authorities to provide additional time to facilitate businesses, traders, industrial operators and other taxpayers. The organisation’s request reflected concerns that the existing timeline was insufficient for some filers dealing with administrative delays and online filing difficulties. Although the FBR initially extended the deadline only to October 15, the latest notification has now brought the revised date in line with the extension sought by the business community. The decision is particularly relevant for taxpayers who need additional time to organise financial records, review their income information and complete the filing requirements.
The Karachi Tax Bar Association (KTBA) also raised concerns with the tax authorities through a five-page letter submitted to the Member Inland Revenue (Operations). The association highlighted several problems affecting the filing process, including delays in issuing draft notifications and persistent technical glitches in the FBR’s IRIS portal. The portal is used by taxpayers and tax professionals to carry out online tax-related procedures, including submitting income tax returns. Technical interruptions and uncertainty over notifications can complicate preparations, particularly for professionals handling filings for multiple clients. The association’s representation added to the calls for an extension and highlighted the importance of maintaining a reliable digital filing system during periods of high demand.
Official data available with Dawn showed that the total number of income tax returns filed by October 14 had reached 6.71 million, compared with 4.99 million during the corresponding period of the previous tax year. This represented an increase of 34.38 per cent year on year. The figures indicate that more taxpayers had submitted returns by mid-October than during the same period a year earlier, despite the operational concerns reported by trade bodies and tax professionals. The filing figures also show that a substantial number of taxpayers continued to submit their returns after the original September deadline, with the extension providing further time for those who had not completed the process.
The data further showed that 5.76 million returns had been filed by September 30, 2026, compared with 3.98 million during the same period last year, representing growth of approximately 45 per cent. The pace of filings subsequently continued, bringing the total to 6.71 million by October 14. Tax paid alongside returns had reached Rs66.81 billion by that date, approximately 14.61 per cent higher than the Rs58.29 billion recorded during the corresponding period last year. The figures cover tax payments made with submitted returns and provide an indication of the revenue reported through the filing process. The increase in return submissions and associated payments reflects growth in filing activity, although the figures alone do not establish the extent of any broader improvement in tax compliance.
Returns filed by non-salaried individuals also recorded a significant increase during 2026. This category includes traders, shopkeepers, professionals and self-employed individuals who are required to report their income under the applicable tax rules. The number of returns submitted by this group increased by 46.35 per cent, rising from 3.04 million to 4.45 million. The growth highlights the contribution of non-salaried taxpayers to the overall increase in filing activity. With the deadline now extended to October 31, eligible individuals and businesses have additional time to submit outstanding returns. The latest extension also places renewed emphasis on the FBR’s ability to maintain stable online services and provide clear guidance so that taxpayers can complete their filings within the revised timeframe.
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