Tax body seeks a one-month extension to October 31, citing difficulties with Punjab’s newly introduced online filing system.
LAHORE: The Pakistan Tax Bar Association (PTBA) has urged the Punjab Board of Revenue to extend the deadline for filing Agricultural Income Tax Returns for Tax Year 2026, citing difficulties faced by taxpayers and tax practitioners with the newly introduced online filing system.
In a representation addressed to the Chairman, Board of Revenue Punjab, Lahore, the PTBA welcomed the provincial government’s initiative to digitalise the filing of Agricultural Income Tax Returns under the Punjab Agricultural Income Tax Act, 1997.
PTBA highlights challenges with online filing
The tax body, which represents District Tax Bar Associations across the country, said it comprises more than 30 District Tax Bars with a membership of over 15,000 tax practitioners, including advocates, chartered accountants, cost and management accountants and tax practitioners registered with the Federal Board of Revenue.
The PTBA pointed out that Tax Year 2026 is the first year in which Agricultural Income Tax Returns have been introduced through an online filing system.
According to the association, both taxpayers and tax practitioners have encountered considerable difficulties in understanding and complying with the newly introduced digital filing requirements.
The PTBA also highlighted the absence of an adequate mechanism through which taxpayers and practitioners can approach the relevant authorities to correct errors, rectify deficiencies or complete information identified during the filing process.
The association said these challenges were particularly significant because the online return system was being implemented for the first time.
Limited time to meet September 30 deadline
Another major concern raised by the PTBA was the limited time available to taxpayers to adapt to the new system.
The association noted that the online return facility was introduced in the early days of September 2026, while the statutory deadline for filing Agricultural Income Tax Returns is September 30, 2026.
As a result, taxpayers and tax practitioners have been left with limited time to understand the new digital mechanism, arrange the required information and documents, address technical and procedural difficulties and complete their returns within the prescribed deadline.
The PTBA maintained that extending the deadline would facilitate taxpayers and help ensure smoother implementation of the newly introduced digital filing system.
PTBA seeks deadline extension to October 31
The association has therefore requested the Chairman, Board of Revenue Punjab, to extend the due date for filing Agricultural Income Tax Returns for Tax Year 2026 from September 30 to October 31, 2026.
The requested one-month extension, according to the PTBA, would provide taxpayers and tax practitioners with additional time to familiarise themselves with the online system and resolve filing-related issues.
The association said the extension would also support the effective implementation of Punjab’s agricultural income tax regime as taxpayers transition to the new digital filing mechanism.