ISLAMABAD (Lahore Mirror) — The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has received nearly 2 million income tax returns for tax year 2026 as of September 5, marking a significant increase compared with the same period last year.
According to figures reported by ProPakistani, around 1.6 million returns had been filed by the corresponding period last year. This means the number of returns submitted so far has increased by approximately 400,000.
Despite the rise in the number of taxpayers filing their returns, the amount of tax deposited alongside the filings has remained largely unchanged. The FBR has collected around Rs. 3.5 billion in tax payments accompanying the returns, nearly the same amount recorded during the comparable period last year.
For tax year 2025, the FBR ultimately received nearly 6 million income tax returns, highlighting the potential for filings to increase substantially as the current deadline approaches.
September 30 Deadline
The statutory deadline for submitting income tax returns for tax year 2026 is September 30, 2026.
Taxpayers who are required to file their returns are advised to complete the process before the deadline to avoid potential penalties or other consequences under applicable tax laws.
FBR Changes Tax Return Form
Meanwhile, the FBR has made changes to the income tax return form for tax year 2026.
Through SRO 1495(I)/2026, issued on Thursday, the tax authority amended provisions of the Income Tax Rules, 2002 and introduced new provisions under the Second Schedule.
The changes have raised concerns among tax professionals, particularly because they were introduced only weeks before the filing deadline.
A tax expert questioned the timing of the notification, describing the introduction of a new SRO at this stage as confusing and difficult to justify given the limited time remaining for taxpayers and professionals to adjust to the changes.
With the September 30 deadline approaching, taxpayers and tax practitioners are now working to complete filings while also taking into account the latest amendments introduced by the FBR.
Source: ProPakistani
