Islamabad, July 14, 2025 – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed the immediate establishment of a nationwide helpline to assist citizens with return filing for the tax year 2025, aiming to make the process easier, faster, and more inclusive for the general public.
The announcement came during a high-level meeting to review the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) ongoing digitization and reform initiatives.
Applauding the introduction of simplified return filing formats in Urdu, Shehbaz emphasized the importance of making the tax system accessible to every citizen. “Digital invoicing and tax return filing should be made user-friendly in Urdu to benefit ordinary taxpayers,” he said, adding that reforms must focus on public convenience.
The meeting included key members of the federal cabinet, FBR Chairman, and senior officials. It focused on the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) in tax administration, digital invoicing, cargo tracking, and the development of a central command and control center. Shehbaz also directed that all FBR reforms undergo third-party validation to ensure transparency.
A major breakthrough discussed was the upcoming launch of simplified digital tax returns. Starting July 15, salaried individuals will be able to access new, easier return filing options, while other taxpayers will receive access by July 30. Urdu-language versions will be fully available to salaried filers by the end of July. The PM highlighted that these simplified returns will be linked to centralized databases, benefiting salaried and small business taxpayers alike.
In addition, a wide-scale awareness campaign will be launched to educate citizens about the return filing process and its new features. Shehbaz praised the finance ministry, FBR leadership, and technical teams for their dedication to reform. “This is the first time we are integrating an AI-based tax assessment system in Pakistan, and it’s a commendable step forward,” he noted.
The meeting also focused on making it easier for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to join the digital invoicing system. Businesses will now issue electronic receipts via the FBR portal, with 20,000 enterprises expected to adopt the system in the coming months. In just one month, over 8,000 invoices worth Rs11.6 billion have been processed, reducing the need for separate sales tax return filing.
Participants were also briefed on cargo tracking and e-bilty systems, which will ensure real-time monitoring of goods movement and automated tax assessment. Traders can now submit advance declarations before ships arrive, giving them full exemption from upfront duties. The percentage of such advance declarations is expected to rise from 3% to over 95%.
The implementation of the internationally recognized 8-digit HS Code will help eliminate fraudulent invoicing and improve sales tax enforcement. All reforms are being aligned with international standards, with technical support from a Turkish delegation following Shehbaz’s recent visit to Azerbaijan.
These efforts, centered on transparency and ease of return filing, reflect the government’s commitment to taxpayer facilitation and digital governance.