Filing an income tax return is an annual responsibility, but many taxpayers now look for shortcuts through social media advertisements and unverified tax service providers.
These so-called “solution entities” often promise easy and cheap return filing, but few people stop to question their authenticity.
With the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) introducing major changes for the 2025 tax year, the process of return filing requires sensitive details such as your CNIC, NTN, bank accounts, IBANs, property records, and withholding tax certificates. Handing this data to an unregistered intermediary could expose you to identity theft.
Think about it: if you share your login credentials and financial information with a third party, what guarantee do you have that your return is filed honestly and your identity isn’t misused? The FBR has already received multiple complaints where such practices led to fraudulent activities.
✔ Checklist for safe filing:
• Verify if the intermediary is registered with tax authorities.
• Avoid sharing your CNIC or bank details with unknown individuals.
• Prefer official FBR portals or licensed consultants for return filing.
• Remember: filing your own return directly is the safest approach.
While some banks have partnered with return filing companies to assist customers, even these arrangements may not fully guarantee data protection. Ultimately, taxpayers must be cautious. Convenience should not come at the cost of compromising personal identity. Filing your return securely ensures peace of mind and compliance.