ISLAMABAD – If you’re planning to file your Income Tax Return after deadline, there is bad news for you as Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) stepped in to shut down a viral notification claiming that the deadline for filing Tax Year 2026 returns has been extended to October 15.
The message spreading across social media may look official, while FBR offcials termed it fake. For now, September 30 remains the official deadline.
A document circulating online carries the date September 30, 2026 and is labelled: “Circular No. 4 of 2026-27 IR Operations.” It claims that, under Section 214A of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, the FBR has extended the filing deadline until October 15 following requests from trade bodies and tax bar associations.
FBR says it never issued this notification, and taxpayers who are holding off on filing because of the October 15 claim could potentially find themselves dealing with penalties if no official extension is announced.
For Tax Year 2025, the filing deadline was extended to October 15, with a further extension granted later. The language from that earlier notification appears to have been reused to make the latest document look legitimate. And that’s what has made the situation particularly confusing for taxpayers.
The tax authority has urged taxpayers and tax professionals to stop relying on screenshots and forwarded messages circulating on social media. Instead, taxpayers should verify any deadline extension through the FBR’s official website and verified social media accounts.
Despite the confusion, tax filing has picked up significantly this year. By September 29, around 5.181 million returns had reportedly been filed for Tax Year 2026. During the corresponding period last year, the figure stood at around 3.553 million. That means filings were up by approximately 45.8% compared with the same period for Tax Year 2025.
But with the deadline approaching, thousands of taxpayers are still rushing to complete their returns. This is where things could get expensive. Taxpayers who miss the prescribed deadline may face financial penalties under Section 182 of the Income Tax Ordinance. And there’s another issue. Late filers may have to pay an additional amount to regain their status on the Active Taxpayer List (ATL).
Being on the ATL matters because it can affect the amount of tax deducted on a range of transactions, including property dealings, vehicle registration and certain banking transactions.
The deadline comes amid complaints from some taxpayers and tax professionals about IRIS-related technical difficulties and filing problems. Business groups and tax practitioners have also called for additional time in light of difficulties faced during the filing process. However, requests for an extension are not the same thing as an approved extension. Unless FBR officially announces a change, September 30 remains the deadline.
