FBR records over 17% surge in income tax return filings

ISLAMABAD: The number of income tax return filings in Pakistan has reached an all-time high, with 5.9 million taxpayers submitting their returns for Tax Year 2025 by October 31. Officials say this surge reflects growing awareness among citizens about the importance of voluntary tax compliance.

According to figures shared by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the total returns filed rose by about 17.6 percent compared to the 5 million submitted during the same period last year.

Out of the total, around 3.6 million taxpayers also paid taxes with their returns, marking an 18.6 percent increase in those contributing directly to the national exchequer.

Individual taxpayers have paid nearly Rs69 billion in taxes this year, compared to Rs60 billion last year, reflecting a 15 percent rise in payments. The FBR described this growth as an encouraging sign of Pakistan’s expanding tax base and improving compliance culture.

Awareness drive boosts compliance

Officials attributed the rise in filings to an aggressive awareness campaign launched jointly by the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Information, and the FBR. The campaign used robocalls, WhatsApp messages, and targeted emails to remind citizens of their responsibility to file tax returns. Nearly 800,000 personalised reminders were sent to potential filers, while about 70,000 received emails comparing their reported incomes with peers to encourage accurate declarations.

According to Business Recorder, these digital outreach efforts, backed by behavioural insights, reportedly drew a strong response, with return submissions continuing until the last hours before the midnight deadline. The FBR expects the final count to rise slightly as late entries are processed.

No blanket extension

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed that no blanket extension be granted for the filing of tax returns, urging citizens to meet deadlines in the future. However, the FBR clarified that taxpayers facing genuine hardships can seek limited extensions through its IRIS online system.

In a statement, the FBR thanked citizens for their growing cooperation and reaffirmed its commitment to making tax filing easier through technology and improved communication. It added that strengthening Pakistan’s tax culture is essential for building a fairer and more transparent financial system, where everyone contributes their due share.