The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has formally revised the deadline for filing income tax returns pertaining to tax year 2025. The first deadline set on October 15 has now moved into October 31, 2025 (of course, with no penalties).
This announcement came about after strong representations from a number of business groups, tax lawyers. Professional associations which stated. That there are on-going issues including delays in financial data collection, ongoing slow performance of the e-filing IRIS system. Technical issues in the linking of Enterprise Resource Planners (ERPs) to the FBR portal.
The original deadline for filing was set for September 30, 2025. However it was first extended to October 15 under Circular No. 4 of 2025–26. The issued new deadline. The memorandum of Section 214A of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001. Which provides legal cover for the new withdrawal of penalties assessed upon returns after October 31, 2025.
Officials have stated that the aim of the current extension is not to facilitate an enforcement policy, but is resulting in allowing individuals and business people a fair opportunity to file correct returns. The pressure from trade bodies and professional tax consultants reportedly played a major role in the Board’s becoming more democratic in its thought process and not extending the appeal to continue any further extensions.
As per the latest FBR data, more than 5.06 million returns have already been filed during the first three and a half months of the fiscal year, compared to 4.60 million in the same period last year. This indicates a steady rise in compliance and tax awareness across the country. In the previous fiscal year, the total number of filers reached 7.6 million.
While the additional time is a relief for many, tax experts warn against delaying submissions until the final days. They urge filers to complete their documentation early to avoid errors, portal congestion, and possible rejection due to incomplete data.
For official updates and circulars, visit the FBR website. To understand Pakistan’s tax laws, see Wikipedia’s overview of taxation in Pakistan. You can also follow the latest business developments on Dawn Business.
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