LCCI President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol has called for the income tax return deadline to be extended from September 30 to October 31, 2026.
LAHORE, September 15, 2026: Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol has urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the federal government to extend the deadline for filing income tax returns for Tax Year 2026 from September 30 to at least October 31.
He said the additional time would facilitate taxpayers and encourage maximum compliance with tax filing requirements.
The LCCI president said the business community was operating in an unusually challenging environment, with domestic businesses facing high operating costs while international trade and economic conditions remained uncertain.
Global trade is also facing significant challenges because of geopolitical tensions, changing tariff regimes and disruptions to international supply chains.
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has warned that increasing fragmentation of the global trading system could have serious economic consequences. Saigol said this made it essential for countries such as Pakistan to strengthen business competitiveness and facilitate legitimate taxpayers.
Businesses need more time to file returns
Saigol said taxpayers, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, sole proprietors, professionals and individuals, needed sufficient time to compile financial records, reconcile accounts and obtain information from banks and other institutions.
They also need time to complete their returns through the FBR’s online system, he added.
With the September 30 deadline approaching, a large number of taxpayers are still completing their documentation, according to the LCCI president.
He said the government’s objective should be to broaden the tax base and promote voluntary compliance rather than create unnecessary difficulties for taxpayers seeking to fulfil their legal obligations.
A reasonable extension would allow taxpayers to submit accurate and complete returns instead of rushing to meet the deadline or facing penalties because of incomplete documentation, he added.
Deadline extension would not waive tax liability
The LCCI president said extending the deadline would not constitute a concession or waiver of tax liability.
Instead, it would simply provide taxpayers with additional time to complete their statutory filing requirements properly.
He added that a facilitative approach by the FBR would strengthen confidence between tax authorities and the business community and could ultimately contribute to improved compliance.
Saigol also pointed out that the FBR had extended return filing deadlines in the past in response to requests from trade bodies, tax practitioners and the general public.
For Tax Year 2025, the FBR initially extended the September 30 deadline to October 15 and subsequently extended it to October 31.
LCCI calls for October 31 deadline
Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol said the government was already taking steps to document the economy and increase the number of active taxpayers.
He said these efforts would be better served through facilitation, simplicity and adequate time for compliance.
The LCCI president stressed that businesses should be encouraged to remain within the formal tax system rather than face avoidable difficulties in meeting filing requirements.
He therefore urged the government to immediately announce an extension of the Tax Year 2026 income tax return filing deadline from September 30 to October 31, 2026.
According to Saigol, the extension would give taxpayers adequate time to complete their returns accurately while helping the FBR achieve higher and more effective compliance.