The facts, in short

  • Where: The FBR Iris portal (iris.fbr.gov.pk), using your NTN and password.
  • Deadline: Usually 30 September for individuals and 31 December for companies — FBR often extends.
  • What you file: An income tax return, plus a wealth statement (Section 116) where required.
  • Why it matters: Filing keeps you on the Active Taxpayer List and at lower withholding rates.

Who has to file a tax return

You must file if any of the following applies:

  • You are registered with an NTN — registration carries a yearly filing obligation, even in a year with no income.
  • Your taxable income exceeds the exemption threshold for the year.
  • You earned income subject to withholding that you want to claim back as a refund.
  • You need to stay on the Active Taxpayer List (ATL) for lower withholding rates.
  • You are a company, AOP or sole proprietor with a registered business.

If you already hold an NTN, the question is not whether to file but how quickly. Skipping a year drops you off the ATL.

Documents to gather first

Almost every delay in filing comes from missing paperwork. Collect these before you start:

  • Your CNIC and NTN, and your Iris login.
  • Salary certificate or annual income statement from your employer.
  • Bank statements for the full tax year — all accounts.
  • Withholding tax certificates (tax already deducted at source).
  • Records of property, vehicles, investments and loans for the wealth statement.
  • For businesses: profit-and-loss figures, expenses and asset registers.

Filing your return, step by step

  1. Log in to Iris. Go to iris.fbr.gov.pk and sign in with your NTN or CNIC and password. First-timers register for credentials there.
  2. Select the tax year. Choose the year that just ended — not the year you are filing in.
  3. Declare each income head. Salary, business, property, capital gains and other income are entered separately. Enter only what applies to you.
  4. Claim your deductions and credits. Apply tax already withheld, allowable expenses, and any credits you are entitled to.
  5. Complete the wealth statement. Reconcile assets and liabilities at the start and end of the year. The difference must make sense against your declared income.
  6. Review the computed tax. Iris calculates your liability. If tax is payable, generate the payment slip (PSID) and pay at a bank or via your banking app.
  7. Submit and save the acknowledgment. Download the CPR (Computerised Payment Receipt) and the filing acknowledgment. Keep both.
The wealth statement is where most returns get stuck. If your assets grew by more than your declared income, Iris flags it. Reconcile before you submit, not after.

How your tax is calculated

For a salaried individual, FBR applies a set of slab rates to your taxable salary for the year. The exact thresholds change with each Finance Act, so always confirm the current slabs before you compute. As a rough shape, rates rise in steps from a nil band through to the top marginal rate, with a surcharge applied above a high-income threshold.

Don't guess your liability from memory of last year's numbers — the bands move. Our online tax estimator applies the current salaried slabs so you can see your figure in seconds.

The deadline and what lateness costs

The individual return date is typically 30 September after the tax year closes; companies file by 31 December. Filing late is expensive in two ways:

  • Direct cost: a late-filing surcharge and penalties on the tax due.
  • Indirect cost: you fall off the ATL, which raises withholding tax on bank transactions, property, vehicles and contracts — and can lock you out of transactions entirely.

Getting back onto the ATL later also carries a restoration fee, so a missed return is rarely a one-time cost.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Filing for the wrong year. The single most common error.
  • Leaving income heads blank. A blank is not a nil — declare every head that applies.
  • Ignoring the wealth statement. An undeclared asset can trigger a notice years later.
  • Not claiming withheld tax. You paid it — claim the credit or the refund.
  • Submitting without reconciling. Once filed, corrections mean a revised return and, often, a notice.
Done in a day, not a month

File your return. Stay on the list.

We prepare and file your income tax return and wealth statement, apply every deduction you are entitled to, and keep you on the Active Taxpayer List.

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Call +92 300 9282797 Email info@makkitax.com Saddar, Karachi

Frequently asked questions

What is the deadline to file an income tax return in Pakistan?

For salaried and other individual taxpayers the return is generally due by 30 September following the end of the tax year, though FBR frequently extends the date. Companies usually file by 31 December.

Can I file my tax return myself?

Yes — you can file directly on the FBR Iris portal with your NTN and password. Many people use a tax practitioner to avoid errors in income heads and the wealth statement.

What happens if I file late?

Late filing can trigger a surcharge and penalties, and may keep you off the Active Taxpayer List — which raises withholding tax rates across many transactions.

Do I have to file a wealth statement too?

Generally yes. Where your taxable income exceeds the prescribed threshold, you must file the wealth statement (Section 116) alongside your income tax return.

Makki Associates
Tax, corporate and digital services — Karachi

This article is general information, not advice on your particular circumstances. Tax law and deadlines change — confirm your position with us or another qualified professional before acting on it. Rates and thresholds referenced reflect the position at the date of writing (October 2026).