Islamabad, April 18, 2025 – In a move to ease the pressure on taxpayers, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has announced an extension of the deadline for filing monthly sales tax and federal excise returns for the periods of February and March 2025.
The new deadline for submission has been extended to April 25, 2025, allowing additional time for businesses to comply with filing requirements.
In an official communication addressed to Chief Commissioners of Large Taxpayers Offices (LTOs), Medium Taxpayers Office (MTO), Corporate Tax Offices (CTOs), and Regional Tax Offices (RTOs), the FBR notified that the deadline for the tax period of February 2025, which was originally due on March 18 and previously extended to April 13, has now been further extended to April 25. However, this extension is conditional upon the prior deposit of the due sales tax liability within the original payment deadline.
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Similarly, the FBR confirmed that the deadline for the tax period of March 2025, initially due on April 18, has also been extended to April 25 under the same condition — that the payable sales tax amount is deposited within the due date.
The decision to grant an extension comes in response to widespread complaints from taxpayers and business communities over persistent technical difficulties with the FBR’s IRIS portal. These issues have significantly hampered the ability of many businesses to file their returns on time.
The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has been particularly vocal in its criticism. In a formal letter addressed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, KCCI President Muhammad Jawed Bilwani outlined the severe impact of system failures on the business community, calling for immediate governmental intervention. According to KCCI, thousands of tax-compliant companies across Pakistan are unable to meet their filing obligations due to ongoing technical glitches in the IRIS system.
As the FBR continues efforts to resolve these system issues, the extended deadline aims to offer temporary relief, ensuring businesses are not penalized for challenges beyond their control.