The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has finally extended the deadline for filing income tax returns for the Tax Year 2025, moving it from September 30 to October 15, 2025.
The decision was announced through an official circular issued under Section 214A of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001.
“In exercise of powers conferred under Section 214A of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001, the Federal Board of Revenue is pleased to communicate that the date of filing of Income Tax return for the Tax Year (TY) 2025, for the persons who are required to file their returns by September 30, 2024, is hereby extended up to October 14, 2025, in view of the requests from various trade bodies. Tax Bar Associations and general public,” FBR said in a circular.
According to the FBR, the extension comes in response to requests from various trade bodies, Tax Bar Associations, and the general public, who had sought more time to complete their tax filings.
Just three hours before announcing an extension, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) had firmly stated that the deadline for filing income tax returns for Tax Year 2025 would not be extended beyond midnight tonight.
In its earlier statement, the FBR reiterated that taxpayers must file their returns by 12 am, warning that anyone missing the deadline would be treated as a late filer under the law. The authority also clarified that non-filers would face penalties in line with existing legal provisions.
The FBR had emphasized that taxpayers could conveniently submit their returns using the newly introduced simplified income tax return form, but cautioned that any returns filed after the deadline would carry legal consequences.
The tax authority advised all eligible taxpayers to ensure submission before the cut-off time, adding that while the filing date itself would not be extended, those who cleared their due tax liabilities could obtain a 15-day extension solely for the purpose of submitting their returns.
However, after rebutting news about any possible extension, the FBR has now taken a U-turn and officially announced an extension for the filing deadline, providing much-needed relief to taxpayers facing last-minute hurdles.
So far, 4.1 million taxpayers have filed their returns, while the FBR has set an internal target of 10 million filers for the current fiscal year. Last year, a total of 7.6 million tax returns were filed. Sources told ProPakistani that this year’s target is not an IMF requirement but an internal benchmark set by the FBR.
Tax professionals and business groups have been urging the FBR to extend the deadline, citing ongoing issues with the online filing system and the need for more time to complete documentation.
A formal request for an extension was also made in a letter from Faraz Fazal Sheikh, Advocate, President of the Rawalpindi Islamabad Tax Bar Association, addressed to the Prime Minister. The letter pointed out that, under Section 118 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, individuals and associations of persons with a tax year from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, and companies with a year-end between July 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, are required to file their Tax Year 2025 returns by September 30, 2025.
The letter respectfully requested the Prime Minister to direct the FBR to issue a circular granting a general extension of the filing deadline to at least December 31, 2025, and to announce the extension widely through electronic and print media to avoid millions of individual extension requests.
The FBR has urged all eligible taxpayers to take advantage of the extended deadline and submit their returns promptly to avoid penalties.
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It has became a fashion/trend and mean habbit by this department to threaten public and at the last moment get a step back.
This speaks weakness of govt and FBR.
Foolish practice. , 👎
It should be extend December 30th 2025
pakistan give free Electricity to lec+ monthly income taker AND GET TAX FROM PEOPLE WHO SAVE MONEY IN BANK FOR FIVE TO TEN THOUSAND , THEY TAKE HALF TAX FROM THAT TEN THOUSAND RUPEES .
This unprofessional move cost my colleague paying double charges to file his return.
Funny how FBR takes u turns just like govt did when they wanted to tax the richest . It’s almost like a pattern
if fbr decides to tax the sharifs and zardaris their targets will be achieved without any problem but fbr doesn’t see any taxable income there.
Absolutely right
Can there be a permanency in the policies of any of the government departments. What a joke that FBR time & again reiterated that no extension shall be granted for submission of IT Returns & than announce an extension. What a mockery, FBR itself is downplaying its authority. Here in Pakistan government is always on the back foot since it has no ground to stay and on. Please have some mettle & let people feel that there exists a government.
They know whom file return every year very soft targets, know they fine them and archive targets
Instead of facilitating taxpayers, the FBR appears to be adopting an unnecessarily harsh approach. In my opinion, the FBR should demonstrate leniency and a more cooperative attitude to ensure that existing taxpayers do not feel pressured or discouraged. The FBR already has sufficient tools and data sources to identify potential non-filers; therefore, the focus should be on broadening the tax base rather than repeatedly burdening compliant taxpayers.