The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Pakistan’s main tax collector, had received a record 7.5 million income tax returns by 30 October 2026. That was 1.8 million more than the 5.7 million filed by the same date in 2025, marking the highest compliance level reported for this stage of the filing season.
Tax bars ask for more time
The Pakistan Tax Bar Association and the Lahore Tax Bar Association have asked for more time to file Tax Year 2026 returns. The national association wrote to FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial seeking a further 34 days. It said the filing notice was issued on 2 September, and that two earlier 15-day extensions did not make up for the time lost.
Separately, the Lahore Tax Bar Association called for the full statutory 90-day filing window. FBR sources said no further extension was planned and that people who file late would face penalties.
Collections and the case for an extension
The tax bar also pointed to money already taken in through returns. By 29 October, Rs85 billion had been collected from 7.3 million returns, compared with Rs88.5 billion in the same period last year. The association argued that extra time could help raise collections further.
Even so, the volume of returns by 30 October remained well above last year’s level, with FBR reporting 7.5 million filings against 5.7 million a year earlier.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- 2 September 2026: Filing notice for Tax Year 2026 returns was issued, according to the Pakistan Tax Bar Association.
- Earlier in the season: Two 15-day extensions were granted; the tax bar said these did not fully offset lost filing time.
- 29 October 2026: About 7.3 million returns had been filed, with Rs85 billion collected, versus Rs88.5 billion in the matching period a year earlier.
- 30 October 2026: FBR’s return count reached 7.5 million, up from 5.7 million on the same date in 2025.
- Late October 2026: Tax bars sought more time; FBR sources said no further extension was planned and late filers would face penalties.
Aasan alfaaz mein
FBR ko ab tak 7.5 million income tax returns mil chuke hain, jo pichhle saal se zyada hain. Tax bar associations ne filing ke liye mazeed waqt maanga hai. FBR ke sources ke mutabiq ab extension nahi hone wali, aur late filing par penalty lagegi. Jo log abhi return nahi bhej sake, unhein jaldi action lena chahiye.
