Before signing a contract, hiring a vendor, or onboarding a new supplier, a quick FBR registration check tells you whether you’re dealing with a properly registered business — and whether they’re actually on the Active Taxpayer List, which matters for your own withholding obligations if you’re paying them.
Why This Check Matters
If a company you’re paying isn’t on the ATL, you may be required to withhold tax at a higher rate on payments to them. It’s not just due diligence — it can directly affect your own tax position.
How to Check Company Registration on FBR (Step by Step)
- Step 1: Go to iris.fbr.gov.pk and click “Verifications” in the top navigation bar – no login required.
- Step 2: From the left-hand list, select “Active Taxpayer List (Income Tax)” to confirm ATL status, or “Taxpayer Profile Inquiry” for full registration details.
- Step 3: Enter the company’s NTN or registration number (no dashes or spaces).
- Step 4: Type the numeric Captcha shown (click the refresh icon if it’s unreadable).
- Step 5: Click VERIFY to see the registered name and current status.
Go to iris.fbr.gov.pk and click “Verifications” in the top navigation bar — no login required. You’ll see a left-hand list of verification tools; the two relevant ones here are:
- “Active Taxpayer List (Income Tax)” — confirms whether the company is currently on the ATL (the status that determines withholding rates).
- “Taxpayer Profile Inquiry” — confirms basic registration details (name, NTN) regardless of ATL status.
Both work the same way: pick a Parameter Type (NTN or Registration No. for a company), enter the number, type the numeric Captcha shown (click the refresh icon if it’s unreadable), and click VERIFY. The result shows the registered name and current status.
Checking via SMS
FBR also supports checking Active Taxpayer status by SMS — send the company’s NTN (no dashes) to FBR’s designated ATL-check number. This is useful when you don’t have internet access handy but need a quick confirmation.
Downloading the Full Active Taxpayer List
If you need to cross-check multiple companies at once, IRIS also lets you download the complete current ATL as a file under “Active Taxpayer Lists – Downloads” in the same Verifications menu — faster than checking one at a time if you’re vetting several vendors.
Common Issues We See
- “No record found” — usually means the NTN/registration number was entered with dashes or spaces that shouldn’t be there.
- Registered but not “Active” — the company has an NTN but has missed a filing deadline and fallen off the ATL. This is common and doesn’t mean the company is unregistered, just non-compliant for the current period.
- Confusing company NTN with an individual’s NTN — make sure you’re checking the company’s registration number, not a director’s personal one.
FAQ
How can I verify the Active Taxpayer status of a company?
Use “Active Taxpayer List (Income Tax)” under IRIS’s Verifications menu, or check via SMS with the company’s NTN.
Is this check free?
Yes — all of FBR’s public verification tools are free and don’t require an IRIS login.
What’s the difference between “registered” and “active”?
A company can have a valid NTN (registered) but still be missing from the current Active Taxpayer List if it hasn’t filed its most recent return — these are different statuses with different tax implications for anyone paying them.
If you need help vetting a business partner’s tax status, or getting your own company back onto the Active Taxpayer List, our Income Tax Return Filing Services team can help.
No schema found.SECP Registration vs. FBR/NTN Registration — Not the Same Thing
A common confusion: SECP incorporation (getting a company legally formed) and FBR/NTN registration (getting the company into the tax system) are two separate registrations with two separate authorities. A company can be validly incorporated with SECP and still not have completed its NTN registration with FBR, or vice versa in rare cases. When you’re vetting a vendor, checking one doesn’t confirm the other — for full due diligence, verify SECP incorporation status separately (via SECP’s own eServices portal) alongside the FBR/ATL check described above.
What If the Company Shows as Registered But Not on ATL?
This is more common than you’d expect, and it doesn’t automatically mean something’s wrong — it usually means the company has an NTN but hasn’t filed its most recent return yet, or its return is filed but the ATL hasn’t refreshed since (updated weekly). If you’re about to make a significant payment and the counterparty isn’t showing as active, it’s worth asking them directly rather than assuming non-compliance — but you should still apply the higher non-filer withholding rate until their status changes, since that’s what protects your own tax position.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check a sole proprietor’s registration the same way?
Yes — the same Active Taxpayer List (Income Tax) tool accepts a CNIC for individuals and sole proprietors, not just an NTN/Reg No. for companies.
Is there a way to verify a company’s registration certificate itself, not just its filer status?
SECP’s own portal (not IRIS) is where you’d verify the actual incorporation certificate and registration number for a company — IRIS only confirms tax registration and filer status, not corporate registration authenticity.
What if the search returns no result at all?
A blank result generally means the NTN/CNIC/registration number entered doesn’t match any FBR record — double check the number for typos before concluding the entity isn’t registered at all.
