ISLAMABAD, October 27, 2026: Pakistan’s income tax return filings reached approximately 6.71 million by October 14, compared with 4.99 million during the corresponding period last year, according to official tax data.
The increase of around 34% follows an earlier September 30 tally of 5.77 million returns, which represented growth of nearly 45% from the same date in 2025.
The Federal Board of Revenue has extended the deadline for filing tax-year 2026 returns to October 31, following requests from trade bodies and tax professionals.
Non-salaried individuals, including traders, shopkeepers and professionals, accounted for much of the expansion in filings.
By October 14, returns from non-salaried taxpayers had increased to approximately 4.45 million, compared with 3.04 million a year earlier.
Returns from salaried individuals rose to around 2.18 million.
Tax payments accompanying returns also increased, reaching approximately Rs66.81 billion by October 14, against Rs58.29 billion at the same point last year.
The extension gives eligible taxpayers more time to complete their declarations and could further increase the total number of returns received.
For Pakistan’s public finances, the growing number of filers and higher payments accompanying returns are significant indicators of the tax system’s expanding reach.