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Pakistan’s Tax Filing Made Easy: How to Submit FBR Returns Online (2025)

By Huzi
Pakistan’s Tax Filing Made Easy: How to Submit FBR Returns Online (2025)

(Updated 18 August 2025 | Beginner’s Guide to NTN Registration & IRIS Filing)

“In 2025, your tax filing takes less time than brewing chai—if you follow this digital roadmap.”

Why File Taxes? Key Benefits

| Benefit | Impact | | ---------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Active Taxpayer List (ATL) | Lower taxes on banking, property, and vehicles | | Financial Credibility | Faster loan approvals, visa processing, and government tenders | | Legal Compliance | Avoid penalties (up to ₨ 50,000), SIM blocking, or frozen accounts | | Tax Refunds | Claim excess deductions from salary/bank income |

Who MUST File?

  • Salaried individuals earning > ₨ 600,000/year
  • Business owners/freelancers with > ₨ 400,000 annual income
  • Property owners earning rent or capital gains
  • Companies/AOPs (regardless of profit/loss)
  • Overseas Pakistanis with local income

Step 1: Register for NTN (National Tax Number)

Requirements

| Individual | Business/AOP/Company | | ------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------- | | CNIC & registered mobile | SECP incorporation certificate | | Active email | Partnership deed (AOPs) | | Personal bank proof | Business utility bill (<3 months old) | | Residential address | Director/partner CNICs + bank details |

Online Registration (Individuals Only)

  1. Go to IRIS Portal → "Registration for Unregistered Person"
  2. Enter CNIC, mobile, email → Verify via SMS/email OTP
  3. Log in with FBR credentials → Complete Form 181
  4. Upload: CNIC scan, bank proof, utility bill → Submit

Note: AOPs/Companies must register in-person at Tax Facilitation Centers with original documents.

Step 2: File Return on IRIS Portal

(Salaried, Business, or Zero Income)

Documents Needed

  • CNIC copy
  • Salary slips / business profit records
  • Bank statements (July 2024–June 2025)
  • Property documents (if applicable)
  • Last year’s return (if filing earlier)

Filing Steps

  1. Log in to IRIS → Select Tax Year 2025
  2. Choose Form:
    • Salaried: Form 114(I) (if salary >50% of income)
    • Business/Freelancer: Comprehensive form
    • Zero Income: "Nil Return" option
  3. Fill Sections:
    • Income Details: Salary, business, rent, foreign income
    • Deductions: Zakat, donations, education expenses
    • Wealth Statement: Assets (property/cash/gold) vs. liabilities (loans)
  4. Reconcile Wealth:
    • Current Year Wealth = Last Year Wealth + (Income - Expenses)
    • Mismatches block submission!
  5. Review & Submit → Download acknowledgment receipt.

2025 Deadlines & Penalties

| Filer Type | Deadline | Late Penalty | | -------------------------- | --------------------- | ------------------------------------- | | Individuals & Businesses | 30 September 2025 | ₨ 1,000/day (max ₨ 50,000) | | Companies (June year-end) | 31 December 2025 | 0.1% daily interest on unpaid tax | | Sales Tax Filers | 18th monthly | Suspension of NTN |

ATL Tip: File by 30 Sept 2025 to enjoy reduced tax rates all year!

Troubleshooting Common Issues

| Problem | Solution | | ---------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- | | Wealth Statement mismatch | Recheck assets/income entries; use FBR’s reconciliation tool | | OTP not received | Ensure mobile SIM matches CNIC registration | | Form 114(I) unavailable | Confirm salary is >50% of total income | | Payment failure | Retry via JazzCash/UBL Omni or generate bank challan |

Pro Tips for 2025

  • Track Refunds: SMS ATL <CNIC> to 9966 for ATL status or refund updates.
  • Freelancers: Declare foreign income in PKR using SBP exchange rates.
  • Nil Filers: File a "zero return" to retain ATL benefits.
  • Urgent Help: Use FBR’s live chat on IRIS or email [email protected].

One-Screen Cheat Sheet

1. Register NTN: iris.fbr.gov.pk → Form 181 → Upload docs
2. File return:
   - Log in → Select tax year 2025
   - Fill income + wealth → Reconcile assets!
3. Submit by 30 Sept → Save receipt
4. Track: SMS "ATL <CNIC>" to 9966

“Filing taxes in 2025 is like ordering biryani online: tedious descriptions, but worth the final click.”

Share this guide with fellow taxpayers—demystify FBR today!