Tax return deadline is over - 7.8 million filed, here is what late filers in Pakistan should do now

The deadline to file income tax returns for tax year 2026 ended on Saturday, 31 October. It had already been extended twice, from 30 September to 15 October and then to 31 October.

By the deadline, more than 7.8 million returns had been filed, a record, according to 24NewsHD. At the same point last year the FBR had about 5.7 million.

If you are among those who missed it, do not panic, but do not wait either. Here is what happens now.

The key facts

The Pakistan and Lahore tax bar associations had asked for more time, saying the filing season started late. Some reports also say people who applied for an extension before the deadline may not face a penalty, but this depends on the tax office approving the request.

What happens if you file late

1. A late-filing penalty. Under section 182 of the Income Tax Ordinance, a late return attracts a penalty for each day of delay, worked out on the tax payable, with a minimum amount. Tax advisers say the minimum is higher for most people, with a lower minimum for salaried people on modest incomes. Ask a tax adviser or your tax office for the exact figure in your case before you file.

2. You stay off the Active Taxpayers List (ATL). A late filer does not appear on the ATL until they pay a surcharge. The Budget 2026-27 proposed raising this surcharge for individuals from Rs1,000 to Rs25,000, and tax advisers say the Finance Act 2026 now has the higher figure, while the FBR's own ATL page still showed the old amounts. Confirm the current amount with the FBR.

3. Higher tax on everyday transactions. People not on the ATL pay higher withholding tax on things such as bank profit, property deals and vehicle registration. That extra cost can be bigger than the penalty itself.

What to do now

1. File as soon as possible on IRIS at iris.fbr.gov.pk. The penalty grows with each day.
2. Collect your documents: salary certificate, bank profit and withholding certificates, and details of property and vehicles for the wealth statement.
3. Check your ATL status by sending "ATL", a space and your 13-digit CNIC to 9966. The list is updated regularly, so a return filed on 31 October may take a few days to show.
4. Keep the acknowledgement of your filed return in case your bank or a buyer asks for it.

If you did file on time

Check that your return shows as "Completed" on IRIS and that you are on the ATL. If you filed close to midnight on 31 October, it still counts as filed on time.

This is general information, not tax advice. Rules and amounts can change; confirm with the FBR or a tax adviser.