Islamabad, December 8, 2025 – A wave of confusion spread among return filers on Monday after many taxpayers unexpectedly received SMS reminders urging them to file their income tax returns for Tax Year 2025, despite having already filed before the deadline.
The unusual development caused concern among compliant taxpayers, who questioned why such messages were being delivered long after the September 30, 2025 filing deadline had passed.
Why Return Filers Received SMS Alerts?
According to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the issue did not originate from their system.
Each year, the FBR coordinates with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in September to push official text reminders to taxpayers ahead of the statutory deadline.
• On September 15, 2025, FBR formally requested PTA to send filing reminders.
• All approved text messages were dispatched before the September 30 deadline, as per routine procedure.
However, the SMS alerts received on December 8 were not part of the FBR’s communication campaign.
FBR Confirms: “Messages Not Authorized”
Following multiple complaints, the FBR launched an internal review and confirmed that:
• No new SMS campaign was issued after the deadline.
• Messages circulating on December 8 were not approved by FBR.
• Preliminary findings show the alerts were sent inadvertently by telecom service providers.
PTA later informed FBR that a technical glitch in telecom systems caused old reminders to be resent to users.
PTA & Telecom Companies Asked to Resolve Issue
FBR stated that PTA has been formally requested to engage with the relevant telecom operators to prevent any recurrence and ensure technical stability.
The authority reassured taxpayers that systems are being examined to avoid confusion in the future.
FBR’s Message to Taxpayers
FBR emphasized that it remains committed to:
• Ensuring accurate and timely communication
• Supporting taxpayers with clarifications
• Providing assistance through helplines and online channels
Taxpayers who already filed their returns successfully can ignore the mistakenly sent SMS reminders.
Are You Still Unsure About Your Filing Status?
✔ Check FBR ATL Status – Visit the Active Taxpayers List portal.
✔ Verify Return Submission – Log in to IRIS and confirm your acknowledgment receipt.
✔ Contact FBR Helpline – For personal guidance on your filing status.
FAQs
1. Do I need to file again if I received the SMS?
No. If your return for Tax Year 2025 was already submitted and acknowledged, no further action is required.
2. Why did the message come from telecom operators, not FBR?
Due to a technical glitch, old scheduled reminders were mistakenly pushed from telecom systems.
3. Will this affect my tax record?
No. These messages have no impact on your tax status or your Active Taxpayers List (ATL) standing.