The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has received nearly 2 million income tax returns for tax year 2026 by September 5, showing a significant increase from around 1.6 million returns filed during the same period last year.
Despite the higher number of filings, tax payments submitted with the returns remained unchanged at about Rs3.5 billion compared with the corresponding period last year.
The FBR received nearly 6 million income tax returns during the full filing period last year. Taxpayers have until September 30, 2026, to submit their returns for tax year 2026.
The tax authority has also introduced changes to the income tax return form shortly before the filing deadline.
Through SRO 1495(I)/2026 issued on Thursday, the FBR amended the Income Tax Rules, 2002, and added new provisions to the Second Schedule relating to the filing of income tax returns.
A tax expert criticised the timing of the changes, saying that issuing a revised return form so close to the September 30 deadline could create confusion for taxpayers and tax professionals.
The expert said the changes were difficult to justify at this stage, given that taxpayers have only a limited period remaining to complete and submit their returns.
