The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) rejected reports of an extension for filing income tax returns for Tax Year 2025. They reaffirmed that September 30 remains the final deadline.
In a statement, the FBR addressed unverified media claims suggesting a delay. They clarified that most taxpayers, unaffected by floods, have had sufficient time to file.
The FBR dismissed reports of slowdowns in its IRIS system, stating, “The IRIS platform is fully operational and functioning smoothly.” The tax body highlighted the new simplified income tax return form, designed to simplify the filing process. Failure to meet the deadline will result in late-filer status and penalties under the law.
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The FBR urged taxpayers to file their returns accurately and honestly by September 30, 2025, to avoid potential legal consequences. In cases of extreme hardship, taxpayers can request a 15-day extension beyond the deadline. This is subject to committee approval, as stated in the document.
Following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directive, the FBR removed the “estimated market value column” from the 2025 tax return form. This was done to simplify the process. A committee, chaired by Federal Minister for Law Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, was formed to assess this column’s implications and recommend improvements. Members include the Petroleum Minister, State Minister for Finance, Attorney General, and FBR officials.
The FBR’s firm stance affects 3.5 million taxpayers (FBR, 2025). It reinforces compliance, with 60% of filers using IRIS (FBR data, 2025). The rejection of an extension and simplified form aim to boost revenue collection. This is critical for Pakistan’s economy amid IMF scrutiny.
Removing the “estimated market value column” sensibly simplifies filing; guidance on which supporting records to retain would also help taxpayers.