As the clock ticks down to the final hours of the income tax filing deadline, a critical question reverberates among Pakistan’s taxpayers: Has the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) extended the deadline for filing income tax returns for the tax year 2024? With the deadline expiring today, millions of taxpayers remain in limbo, awaiting clarity from the country’s apex tax authority.
Sources within the FBR have hinted that an extension is possible, but no formal decision has been taken as yet. The pressing concern stems from the considerable strain on the system, leaving the tax authority under immense pressure to grant taxpayers additional time. With only one day remaining to submit returns, technical issues and system breakdowns have plagued the process, intensifying calls for an extension.
Historically, the FBR has accommodated such demands by extending the deadline. In the previous year, the deadline for filing tax returns was extended by a full month, moving from September 30 to October 31, 2023. Many speculate that a similar reprieve could be in the works for this year, given the mounting complaints from both individual taxpayers and businesses alike.
The primary source of contention this year has been the notorious dysfunctionality of the IRIS portal—the government’s e-filing platform. The system has been marred by frequent technical glitches, sluggish response times, and periodic crashes, leaving users unable to file their returns without encountering frustrating delays. These issues have raised alarms, particularly for taxpayers who are racing against the deadline, only to be stymied by the platform’s inefficiencies.
The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), the preeminent representative of Pakistan’s business community, has taken a leading role in lobbying for an extension. Citing the “multitude of technical bottlenecks” and systemic inefficiencies, the FPCCI has formally urged the FBR to push the deadline back by 30 days. Atif Ikram Sheikh, the FPCCI’s president, lamented the incapacity of the IRIS system to manage the increased traffic. He highlighted that the portal’s instability and cumbersome interface particularly disadvantage small business owners and individuals who lack familiarity with digital tax filing procedures. “For the common man, navigating the system has become a herculean task,” he remarked, emphasizing that without a deadline extension, many law-abiding citizens might inadvertently find themselves penalized.
In solidarity with the business community, the Pakistan Tax Bar Association (PTBA) has also raised its voice, amplifying the call for leniency. PTBA President Anwar Kashif Mumtaz expressed deep concern over the near paralysis of the IRIS system, which he claims has rendered compliance virtually unattainable. In a formal appeal to FBR Chairman Rashid Mehmood, the PTBA urged for a one-month extension, citing the unprecedented technical obstacles that have plagued the current filing cycle. The association contends that penalizing taxpayers under these circumstances would be both unjust and counterproductive, as many of the delays stem from factors beyond their control.
Despite the introduction of digital infrastructure like the IRIS portal, its poor performance in recent years has eroded confidence in Pakistan’s e-filing system. The platform, once heralded as a step toward modernization, now faces criticism for its inability to handle the growing volume of returns, system shutdowns, and computational errors. Both the FPCCI and PTBA believe that, unless the government addresses these critical issues, even an extension might not suffice to restore taxpayer confidence in the system.
As September 30 approaches its conclusion, the pressure on the FBR to extend the deadline intensifies. While no formal announcement has yet been made, the growing clamor for relief, supported by key business and professional organizations, strongly suggests that an extension is likely. However, unless substantial improvements are made to the IRIS system, taxpayers may continue to face difficulties, even with additional time.
