Tax experts and leading business chambers have urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to extend the deadline for filing income tax returns and wealth statements for tax year 2026 until December 2026, arguing that taxpayers need additional time to meet their legal obligations. The calls follow concerns about the late notification of the final income tax return form, persistent technical problems with the FBR’s IRIS online filing portal and delays in processing extension applications. While the FBR has extended the filing deadline to October 31 for taxpayers whose original September 30 deadline was previously extended to October 15, stakeholders are seeking a longer period to address outstanding administrative and technical difficulties. The demands highlight continuing disagreements over whether the time available to taxpayers has been sufficient for completing the filing process and reconciling the information required by the tax authority.
Fazal Faraz, a tax expert from Islamabad and Rawalpindi, told Business Recorder that the FBR was legally and morally obligated to extend the deadline until December 2026, irrespective of the number of returns already received. He pointed to the timeline for issuing the income tax return form for tax year 2026, stating that the draft form was circulated through SRO 835(I)/2026 on May 7, 2026, under Section 237(3) of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001. However, the final form was notified through SRO 1495(I)/2026 on September 2, 2026. Faraz argued that taxpayers should have been provided with three months to file their returns following the notification of the final form. He also noted that the number of returns had exceeded 6.8 million, maintaining that the volume of submissions did not remove the need to consider the legal timeline available to taxpayers. His position represents the view of a tax expert on the appropriate deadline rather than a confirmed legal determination by the FBR.
Separately, Advocate Supreme Court Javed Iqbal Qazi has called on the FBR to take immediate action on pending applications seeking extensions for income tax return filing. In a letter addressed to the Member Inland Revenue (Operations), Qazi said applications submitted by taxpayers on or before September 30 remained unattended on the IRIS portal, even after the filing deadline was extended to October 15. The unresolved applications have raised concerns among taxpayers who had sought additional time before the original deadline but had not received a decision. Qazi requested the FBR to direct the relevant regional commissioners to instruct zonal commissioners to dispose of the outstanding applications. According to his request, resolving these cases would enable taxpayers to submit fresh extension applications where necessary and obtain clarity about their filing obligations. The issue highlights the importance of timely administrative decisions alongside the availability of a functioning online filing system.
The Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has also asked the FBR to extend the deadline for filing income tax returns and wealth statements for tax year 2026 until December 2. The chamber cited recurring technical glitches, service interruptions and performance problems affecting the IRIS portal, which it said had disrupted the preparation and submission of returns. It also highlighted the time required to update information about immovable properties and provide International Bank Account Numbers for bank accounts. These details must be checked and reconciled before submission, adding to the work required of taxpayers and tax practitioners. The SCCI argued that the combination of administrative requirements and online system limitations had made it difficult for some filers to complete their returns within the existing timeframe.
The SCCI further raised concerns about the application of minimum tax provisions, particularly the calculation of tax liabilities for individuals and businesses receiving income from multiple sources. The chamber called for clarification and corrective measures to address inconsistencies and ensure that tax calculations comply with applicable legal provisions. It maintained that the business community remained committed to meeting its tax obligations but should not face unnecessary hardship, penalties or other adverse consequences because of technical deficiencies beyond its reasonable control. In its appeal, the chamber requested an extension until December 2, immediate action to resolve IRIS portal interruptions, a review of the minimum tax calculation mechanism and protection for taxpayers affected by system-related delays. It said additional time would allow businesses and tax practitioners to resolve outstanding issues, reconcile financial information and submit accurate returns.
The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has submitted a similar request, seeking an extension until December 2 for income tax returns and wealth statements for tax year 2026. In a letter addressed to FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial, the chamber stated that the extension previously granted until October 15 had been insufficient given the difficulties experienced by taxpayers. The LCCI, which represents more than 48,000 member companies across trade and industry, acknowledged the FBR’s support but said continued interruptions and performance issues on the IRIS portal had affected the filing process. Its concerns include the time required to update immovable property details and provide bank account IBANs, both of which involve verifying and reconciling information before the returns can be completed. The chamber said these requirements, combined with technical difficulties, had affected taxpayers across different business sectors.
The LCCI also called for a review of the minimum tax regime, particularly the calculation of minimum tax for taxpayers earning income from multiple sources. It urged the FBR to correct inconsistencies in the filing system and ensure that the calculation process follows applicable tax laws. In its four-point request, the chamber sought an extension of the filing deadline to December 2, immediate corrective action to resolve IRIS portal problems, a review of the minimum tax calculation mechanism and safeguards against adverse consequences for taxpayers whose delays resulted from system-related issues. The LCCI argued that taxpayers should not be penalised for circumstances outside their control when they are attempting to comply with filing requirements.
The demands from tax professionals and business organisations place the FBR’s return-filing process under scrutiny as taxpayers continue submitting their annual declarations. Although the number of filed returns has exceeded 6.8 million, stakeholders argue that filing volumes alone do not address concerns about the availability of final forms, portal performance and the handling of extension requests. Their proposed December deadline is intended to give taxpayers additional time to resolve these issues and complete accurate submissions. As of October 16, the FBR’s announced deadline for the affected taxpayers stands at October 31, 2026. Any further extension would require a separate decision by the tax authority. Until such a decision is announced, taxpayers should follow the officially notified deadline and monitor FBR announcements concerning any changes to the filing schedule.
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