Tax authority says inaccurate declarations may trigger scrutiny as IRIS portal opens for annual return filing.
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has warned taxpayers against submitting incorrect income tax returns for Tax Year 2026, stressing that income, assets and expenditure leave a digital trail that is accessible to the tax authority through multiple sources.
In a public awareness message, the FBR advised taxpayers to ensure complete and accurate disclosure of their financial information while filing returns through its online IRIS portal.
“Income, assets, and expenditure leave a trail – and that trail reaches FBR through multiple sources. A correct return closes the matter; an incorrect one opens it,” the tax authority said.
The warning comes as the FBR has opened the Income Tax Return filing portal for Tax Year 2026, allowing taxpayers across Pakistan to submit their annual income tax returns electronically through the IRIS system.
In an earlier statement, the FBR urged individuals and businesses to file their returns accurately and honestly, emphasizing that timely compliance is essential for strengthening Pakistan’s tax system.
“Income Tax Return filing for Tax Year 2026 is now open. All taxpayers are advised to file their returns accurately and honestly, ensuring that all declared information is true and correct. Timely and truthful compliance strengthens the tax system for everyone,” the FBR said.
The opening of the filing portal follows the implementation of the Finance Act, 2026, which introduced a range of measures aimed at broadening the tax base, improving documentation and strengthening tax compliance.
Earlier, the tax authority issued draft income tax return forms for Tax Year 2026 through SRO 835(I)/2026, inviting feedback from stakeholders before finalising the forms.
Under the existing filing schedule, the deadline for submitting income tax returns for Tax Year 2026 is September 30, 2026. The due date applies to salaried individuals, business individuals, Associations of Persons (AOPs), and companies with a financial year ending on December 31.
The FBR has advised taxpayers to organize their financial records, income statements and supporting documents well before the deadline to ensure smooth filing and avoid last-minute issues.
The Finance Act, 2026 has also introduced stricter penalties for late filing, significantly strengthening the tax compliance framework. The FBR expects that tougher enforcement measures, combined with improvements to the digital filing system, will encourage greater voluntary compliance and increase the number of active taxpayers.
The tax authority reiterated that accurate and timely submission of income tax returns remains essential for broadening Pakistan’s tax base, improving revenue collection and supporting the country’s fiscal sustainability.