FBR Extends Tax Return Filing Deadline to October 15

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue has extended the deadline for filing income tax returns for Tax Year 2026 to October 15, giving eligible taxpayers an additional 15 days to complete their submissions. The previous deadline was September 30.

The tax authority announced the extension after receiving requests from trade bodies and tax bar associations seeking more time for businesses, professionals and individual taxpayers to complete the filing process. The decision applies to taxpayers whose returns were originally due by the end of September.

The extension follows several days of pressure from business organisations and tax professionals. Concerns raised during that period included delays related to return forms, technical difficulties on the online filing platform and heavy system traffic as taxpayers attempted to submit returns close to the deadline.

Earlier on September 30, authorities had rejected a separate document circulating online that claimed the filing deadline had already been extended. That document was described as fake. A formal extension was subsequently announced, making October 15 the new deadline for qualifying Tax Year 2026 filers.

Tax return filings have risen substantially compared with the previous year. Official figures cited in reporting showed that about 5.181 million returns had been submitted for Tax Year 2026 by September 29, compared with approximately 3.553 million for Tax Year 2025. The increase reflects a significant expansion in the number of returns received ahead of the deadline.

Business groups had sought additional filing time before the announcement. The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry had requested an extension until October 31, while tax professionals also raised concerns about technical and administrative challenges affecting taxpayers during the final days of September.

The extension provides taxpayers with more time to verify financial information, complete required documentation and submit returns through the official filing system. Taxpayers are still expected to comply with applicable filing requirements and should avoid relying on unofficial notices circulating through social media or messaging platforms.

The development has broad relevance because income tax filing affects millions of individuals and businesses across Pakistan. With the deadline now moved to October 15, taxpayers who were unable to complete their submissions by September 30 have another opportunity to file within the officially extended period.