FBR Extends Tax Return Filing Deadline to October 15

In a last-minute reversal, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has extended the deadline for filing income tax returns for the 2024-2025 tax year. The new cutoff is now October 15, 2025, offering taxpayers an additional 15 days to submit their returns. (Geo)

What Prompted the Extension

The decision comes after mounting pressure from trade bodies, tax professionals, and the general public, many of whom cited difficulties meeting the original September 30 deadline amid heavy flood damage, system slowdowns, and form complications. (The Express Tribune)

FBR’s notification says the extension is granted under Section 214A of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001. (Federal Board of Revenue)

Also Read:Is FBR’s IRIS System Down in Pakistan?

What Taxpayers Should Know

• All eligible taxpayers who could not meet the September 30 deadline can now file until October 15, 2025. (The Express Tribune)
• This relief is intended to ease pressure on the filing system, especially following public complaints about slow performance and form issues. (The Express Tribune)
• The extension is valid without penalties for those filing within the new deadline (provided other conditions are met).
• FBR emphasizes that this is a rare concession and urges taxpayers not to delay further.

Tension Between Extension and Earlier Denial

Interestingly, just a day before, FBR had ruled out any extension, insisting that all returns must be filed by midnight on September 30 and that late filers would face penalties. (Geo)

But under public pressure, the tax authority reversed course. Many business groups had appealed for more time given infrastructure challenges, floods, and IRIS-system bottlenecks. (The Express Tribune)

Why This Move Matters

This extension offers a much-needed reprieve for taxpayers amid external disruptions. It also signals that FBR is willing to respond to stakeholder feedback — a modest but important step toward taxpayer-friendly administration.

For many taxpayers, every extra day counts given the complexities of income reporting, asset declarations, and compliance checks. The move could help reduce the rush and avoid errors caused by last-minute filings.