BarkahSuiteThe Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has extended the last date for filing income tax returns for tax year 2026 to 31 October 2026. If you are an individual, a salaried person, a shopkeeper, a professional or an AOP and haven't filed yet, you have days, not weeks. Here is what the deadline means, who must file, and how businesses can stop every tax season turning into a scramble.
Why FBR extended the deadline
FBR extended the date under section 214A of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, after requests from trade bodies and tax bar associations, who pointed to delayed return forms and heavy traffic on the IRIS portal. Filing has also grown sharply this year: by mid-October around 6.7 million returns had been filed, about a third more than at the same point last year, with the largest growth coming from non-salaried filers such as traders, shopkeepers and professionals.
The lesson for business owners: the portal gets slowest exactly when everyone files at once. Don't wait for another extension — none is guaranteed.
Who must file an income tax return?
- Every company and AOP (partnership firm), whatever its income.
- Individuals whose taxable income is above the taxable threshold.
- Anyone who owns property, a registered vehicle above the engine size set by law, or holds an industrial or commercial electricity connection above the specified bill amount, or who is otherwise required by the law.
- Anyone who wants to be on the Active Taxpayer List (ATL) — which lowers withholding tax on banking, property and vehicle transactions.
Thresholds change with each Finance Act, so check the current rules on the FBR website or with your tax advisor before deciding you don't need to file.
The 2026 tax calendar every business should know
| Obligation | Who | Due date |
|---|---|---|
| Annual income tax return (TY 2026) | Individuals, salaried persons, AOPs | 31 October 2026 (extended) |
| Annual income tax return | Companies with 30 June year-end | 31 December |
| Wealth statement | Individuals filing a return | With the return |
| Monthly sales tax payment & return | Sales-tax registered businesses | Paid by the 15th, return by the 18th of the following month (standard rule) |
| Withholding tax statements | Withholding agents (employers, companies, AOPs) | As notified on IRIS for each period |
| FBR Digital Invoicing | Notified sales-tax registered persons | Real time, at the moment of sale — see our FBR Digital Invoicing guide |
If a due date falls on a public holiday it usually moves to the next working day — but always confirm against FBR's own notices.
Documents and figures you need before you open IRIS
For salaried persons
- Your employer's salary tax deduction certificate for the year (total salary and tax deducted).
- Bank profit and withholding tax certificates from each bank.
- Withholding tax paid on electricity, phone, vehicle registration or token tax.
- Details of assets and liabilities for your wealth statement.
For businesses, traders and AOPs
- A profit & loss account and balance sheet for the tax year.
- Total sales, purchases, closing stock and expenses — reconciled with your sales tax returns.
- All withholding tax deducted from you by customers, and deducted by you from suppliers and employees.
- Bank statements reconciled with your books.
How to file on IRIS — step by step
- Log in to IRIS with your CNIC/NTN and password (register first if you are a new filer).
- Select the return for tax year 2026 — the 114(1) return form that applies to you.
- Enter income: salary, business income, property, bank profit and other sources.
- Enter tax already deducted — the system matches much of it from withholding data, but check every line against your certificates.
- Complete the wealth statement and reconcile it with your income and expenses.
- Pay any balance through a PSID before submitting, then submit and save the acknowledgement.
What if you miss the 31 October deadline?
You can still file after the due date, but expect consequences: FBR can impose a late-filing penalty, a late filer may need to pay a surcharge to get onto the ATL, and until you appear on the ATL you pay higher withholding tax as a non-filer on many everyday transactions. Repeated non-compliance can also bring notices. For exact penalty amounts, check the current Income Tax Ordinance or ask your tax advisor.
Make next year's tax season a one-day job
Most of the stress around the last date comes from building a year's numbers at the last minute. When your books are kept live every day, the figures for your return are already there:
- Accounting that posts itself. Sales, purchases, payments and receipts post to the ledger as they happen, so the profit & loss account, balance sheet and bank reconciliation are ready whenever you need them. See accounting software for Pakistan →
- Payroll with salary tax built in. Monthly salary tax is calculated in payroll, and each employee's tax deduction certificate is generated from the system — no more chasing HR in October. See HR & payroll software →
- FBR-ready sales. Invoices that meet FBR requirements and can be reported through Digital Invoicing keep your sales tax and income tax figures consistent. See FBR integration →
- One system for the whole business. Purchase, inventory, sales, payroll and accounts in one place means your tax figures reconcile with your stock and bank. See BarkahSuite ERP for Pakistan →
BarkahSuite is a cloud ERP built for businesses in Pakistan and the Gulf. Start your free 30-day trial now, and the next time FBR announces a last date, your numbers will already be done.
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date to file income tax return in Pakistan for tax year 2026?
For individuals, salaried persons and AOPs, FBR has extended the last date for tax year 2026 to 31 October 2026. The original date was 30 September 2026, first extended to 15 October and then to 31 October.
What is the last date for companies?
A company whose financial year ends on 30 June files its return by 31 December. Companies with a different year-end follow the date that applies to their tax year.
What happens if I miss the deadline?
You can still file late, but FBR can charge a late-filing penalty, and you may need to pay a surcharge to be included in the Active Taxpayer List (ATL). Until you are on the ATL you pay higher withholding tax on many banking, property and vehicle transactions.
Will FBR extend the deadline again?
Do not plan on it. Extensions are announced at FBR's discretion, often at the last moment. File as early as possible to avoid IRIS portal congestion near the deadline.
This article is general information, not tax advice. Dates are as announced by FBR up to 21 October 2026; always confirm the latest notification on the FBR website or with your tax advisor.
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