Islamabad, November 1, 2025 – In a major development, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has officially released the first Active Taxpayers List (ATL) for Tax Year 2025, revealing that 6.24 million taxpayers have filed their income tax returns — a number that’s raised eyebrows across financial circles.
The list, published just hours after the October 31 deadline closed, reflects a considerable gap compared to last year’s performance. According to FBR sources, the ATL 2024 had included around 8.5 million active taxpayers, meaning this year’s list shows a sharp shortfall of nearly 2.26 million returns.
Officials, however, remain optimistic. The FBR clarified that the number of active taxpayers is expected to grow as late filers continue to submit returns for inclusion in the list. The return-filing portal will remain open until the Tax Year 2026 deadline, allowing citizens to regularize their status by paying a nominal surcharge.
Notably, this is the earliest-ever release of the ATL — a shift from the previous practice when the list was published annually on March 1. The FBR now plans to update the ATL daily, enabling faster verification for taxpayers and institutions.
Tax experts say being on the ATL brings tangible benefits — including lower tax rates, smoother banking transactions, and eligibility for official tenders.
FBR officials emphasized that all eligible citizens who have yet to file can still do so and secure their name on the ATL 2025 before the next update cycle.