Online applications seeking an extension for filing income tax returns have received a significant response from individual taxpayers, according to the National Board of Revenue (NBR).
The revenue authority has made online submission of income tax returns mandatory for most individual taxpayers for the 2025–2026 tax year, with a few exceptions.
Officials said more than five million individual taxpayers have already registered on the NBR’s e-return system, while over 4.15 million have submitted their returns online.
The deadline for filing returns for individual taxpayers has been extended until March 31, 2026.
However, taxpayers may apply for additional time of up to 90 days by submitting a written request before the deadline, subject to approval by the concerned tax commissioner.
To streamline the process and make it faster and more transparent, the NBR has introduced a fully online system for applying for time extensions.
Taxpayers can now log into the e-return system and submit their requests through the “Time Extension” option.
In recent days, more than 5,000 taxpayers have applied online for an extension, with most applications approved within a short time, officials said.
Tax commissioners in respective tax zones are approving the applications digitally.
Once approved, taxpayers can file their returns within the extended period without incurring any penalties or additional taxes.
The NBR said taxpayers who have not yet filed their returns must apply for an extension by March 31, 2026, if they wish to avoid penalties.
Applicants must be registered in the e-return system, which requires a biometric SIM registered in their own name.
Taxpayers who are expected to file returns online may apply either through the e-return system or by submitting written applications directly to their respective tax circles.
The NBR has urged all individual taxpayers to file their returns within the stipulated deadline using the e-return system to avoid penalties.
Those unable to meet the deadline may apply online with valid reasons by March 31, seeking an extension of up to 90 days.