The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has extended the filing date for income tax returns for tax year 2026. The new date is October 15, 2026, instead of September 30. FBR released the official notification a short while ago. It said the extension applies to persons who must file their returns by September 30.
— FBR (@FBRSpokesperson) September 30, 2026
In its statement, FBR said it extended the date in view of requests from various trade bodies and tax bar associations. Tax professionals and business groups had urged the board to act. They pointed to ongoing issues with the online filing system and the need for more time to complete documentation.
Taxpayers had indeed faced slowdowns, glitches and bugs while submitting returns. Moreover, the IRIS portal repeatedly failed to accept returns properly for many individuals in recent weeks. Therefore, the extra time gives filers a chance to finish their submissions without pressure.
Meanwhile, the filing numbers show a clear rise. FBR received 5.8 million returns by September 30, 2026, compared with 3.8 million by the same date in 2025. However, the board collected around Rs. 8 billion less in tax from returns than it did last year.
Collections still look strong overall. FBR achieved its first-quarter target of Rs. 3,053 billion and also met its September 2026 target of Rs. 1,330 billion. Furthermore, tax collections are expected to reach around Rs. 3,072 billion during July to September 2026.
Taxpayers who have not yet filed should use the extra days wisely. Still, the board has not mentioned any further relief beyond October 15. Finally, anyone who needs more time should treat the new tax return deadline as the last date to file.
