The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has received nearly 2 million income tax returns for tax year 2026 as of September 5 — a sharp jump from the roughly 1.6 million returns filed during the same period last year. With the September 30 deadline approaching fast, here’s what’s actually behind the numbers.
The Numbers So Far
| Metric | Tax Year 2026 (as of Sept 5) | Same Period, Tax Year 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Returns filed | ~2 million | ~1.6 million |
| Tax deposited with filings | Rs. 3.5 billion | Roughly unchanged |
That’s an increase of about 400,000 returns, or roughly 25% more filers than the same point last year. FBR closed out tax year 2025 with nearly 6 million total returns, giving a sense of how much filing activity typically picks up as the deadline approaches.
More Filers, But Not More Revenue
The most notable detail in this update isn’t the filer count — it’s that tax deposited alongside the new filings stayed almost flat compared to last year, despite hundreds of thousands more people filing. This pattern isn’t new: last year, analysts pointed out that a significant share of new filings were “zero returns,” meaning people who filed simply to stay on the Active Taxpayers List (ATL) and avoid higher withholding taxes and penalties, rather than because they owed meaningful tax. That distinction matters, since a rising filer count doesn’t automatically translate into stronger tax collection.
A Late Rule Change Is Adding Confusion
Just as filing season entered its final stretch, FBR issued SRO 1495(I)/2026, amending the Income Tax Rules, 2002 and introducing new provisions to the Second Schedule — effectively changing parts of the income tax return form for tax year 2026. Tax professionals have questioned the timing, arguing that introducing new requirements with only a few weeks left before the deadline creates unnecessary confusion for filers who may have already started preparing their returns under the older format.
How Filing Numbers Have Trended Over the Years
| Tax Year | Total Returns Filed |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 5.2 million |
| 2023 (FY23) | 5.3 million (71% year-on-year jump) |
| 2025 (as of Oct 31, 2025) | 5.9 million (17.6% year-on-year jump) |
| 2026 (as of Sept 5, 2026) | ~2 million so far, deadline Sept 30 |
The broader trend shows steady growth in filer numbers year over year, even as questions persist about how much of that growth reflects genuine new taxpayers versus people filing minimal or zero returns defensively.
Key Dates for Tax Year 2026
- Filing period covered: Income and financial activity from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026
- Statutory deadline: September 30, 2026 (unless FBR announces an extension)
- Late filing penalty: Rs. 1,000 surcharge for individuals, Rs. 10,000 for companies, in addition to being excluded from the ATL until the surcharge is paid
What This Means If You Haven’t Filed Yet
With roughly three weeks left before the deadline, salaried individuals and people with straightforward income sources can typically complete their return through FBR’s IRIS portal without needing a tax consultant, provided they have their income details, bank balances as of June 30, 2026, and any relevant asset or investment records organized in advance. Given the newly introduced SRO, it’s worth double-checking the current version of the return form on IRIS before submitting, rather than relying on a version prepared earlier in the season.
Final Thoughts
Nearly 2 million returns filed with three weeks still on the clock puts tax year 2026 on track to match or exceed recent years’ totals. But the flat tax-deposit figure is a reminder that filer growth and revenue growth aren’t the same thing — and with a late rule change now in the mix, the final stretch to September 30 may prove more complicated than usual for both new and returning filers.
