The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Wednesday moved the income tax return deadline to October 31, granting a second extension after earlier cut-offs of September 30 and October 15.
The notification cites Section 214A of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001. Moreover, it says the decision follows requests from trade bodies and tax bar associations.
Second extension after earlier ‘no more delays’ stance
The revenue authority had previously signalled that no further relief would be granted beyond October 15.
However, it acknowledged appeals citing IT slowdowns and workload pressures, and pushed the due date to ensure “maximum compliance” and reduce last minute system bottlenecks.
The extension applies to individuals, associations and companies required to file for Tax Year 2025.
Officials indicated this is likely the final extension and urged taxpayers to file on time.
| Phase | Announced | Legal basis | Reason cited |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original deadline | 30 Sep 2025 | — | Standard filing cut-off |
| 1st extension | 30 Sep 2025 | Sec. 214A, Income Tax Ordinance 2001 | Requests from trade bodies & tax bars |
| 2nd extension | 15 Oct 2025 | Sec. 214A, Income Tax Ordinance 2001 | Continued requests on system slowdowns & workload |
Enforcement next: focus on high profile non-filers
FBR said an enforcement drive will follow the new deadline, prioritising high profile non-filers identified through data analytics.
Targets include individuals displaying luxury assets, high end vehicles, prime property, expensive jewellery and designer goods, in-congruent with declared income.
Frequent foreign travel and large card spends are also red flags.
Those who gift high value items or publicly spray cash at private events may face scrutiny where declarations do not match lifestyle.
| Focus area | Indicators flagged | Tools / consequences |
|---|---|---|
| High profile non-filers | Luxury cars/property, expensive jewelry/designer goods, frequent foreign travel, large card spends, cash displays at events | social media monitoring, notices to be issued |
| Late filers | Returns submitted after deadline | Classified “late”, additional taxes/penalties may apply |
Social media monitoring and penalties
A dedicated social media monitoring team has compiled evidence from online posts, with notices ready for dispatch after the deadline.
Late submissions will be categorised as filed late, attracting additional taxes and penalties under the law.
The FBR reiterated that timely compliance is the best way to avoid enforcement action.
Taxpayers have been advised to file early, verify withholding statements, reconcile bank/card transactions, and ensure asset declarations reflect actual ownership to minimise queries once the crackdown begins.
