Taxpayers importing mobile phones can now pay applicable taxes in instalments under the amended Sales Tax Act 1990 for FY2026-27.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has officially notified the facility of paying taxes in instalments on imported mobile phones for the fiscal year 2026-27, providing relief to individuals registering their devices in Pakistan.
The clarification comes after various misleading reports and fake notifications circulated on social media regarding the reports that implementation of tax payments in instalments for imported mobile phones is fake.
The FBR has dismissed such rumors and confirmed that the facility has been introduced under provisions incorporated into the amended Sales Tax Act, 1990.
According to the updated Sales Tax Act, 1990, amended up to June 30, 2026, individuals who are required to pay taxes on imported mobile phone devices through the Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) can now avail themselves of the instalment-based payment mechanism.
The newly notified provision allows eligible individuals to pay the applicable tax amount in multiple instalments instead of making a one-time payment at the time of device registration.
The move is expected to ease the financial burden on consumers who bring mobile phones into the country and are required to register them through the PTA’s DIRBS platform.
However, the FBR has also outlined a key condition for availing the facility. All instalments must be fully paid before the conclusion of the financial year in which the mobile phone is imported. Failure to clear the outstanding tax amount within the prescribed timeframe may result in non-compliance with the applicable tax regulations.
The initiative forms part of broader amendments introduced in tax laws for FY2026-27 and is aimed at facilitating taxpayers while ensuring revenue collection remains on track.
By enabling staggered payments, the government seeks to improve compliance among mobile phone importers and reduce the immediate financial impact associated with device registration taxes.
With the official notification now in place, taxpayers are advised to rely only on authentic information issued by the FBR and avoid misinformation circulating through unofficial sources regarding tax policies on imported mobile phones.