Published: 30 September 2026 | By Umair A R Mughal
Update, 30 September 2026 (late evening): The FBR has since officially extended the income tax return deadline to 15 October 2026. See: FBR Tax Return Deadline Extended Till October 15, 2026: Official Notification. The banking-hours information below still applied for the original 30 September cutoff.
Today is the final deadline to submit Tax Year 2026 income tax returns. If you are rushing at the last minute and still need to clear outstanding tax bills before you file, there is some good news: you have a bit more breathing room this evening than usual.
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has instructed all commercial bank branches across the country to stay open until 10:00 PM tonight, Wednesday, 30 September 2026, so taxpayers can pay government dues and taxes over the counter.
At the same time, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has made clear that the deadline itself will not be extended. See our live coverage: FBR Tax Return Deadline Extension 2026: Latest Updates.
Today’s Extended Banking Hours
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Branch timings | Open across the country until 10:00 PM tonight |
| Target service | Over-the-counter collection of FBR taxes and government duties |
| NIFT clearing | Relevant branches stay open until the special clearing session is completed |
| Digital services | Mobile apps, internet banking and ATMs remain operational as usual |
Why Are Banks Staying Open So Late?
30 September is the final day for individuals and Associations of Persons (AOPs) to file their tax returns and wealth statements for Tax Year 2026. It is also the due date for taxpayers to clear the tax liabilities shown in their returns, and for businesses to complete their registration with the tax authorities.
Thousands of taxpayers leave the bulk of their payments for the very last day, which causes severe congestion. Standard banking hours cannot absorb that wave, so at the FBR’s request, the SBP extended hours to make sure taxpayers are not penalised for circumstances beyond their control.
The National Institutional Facilitation Technologies (NIFT) is also holding a special late clearing session today, so that over-the-counter payments made before 10:00 PM are officially recorded as made today.
FBR Under Pressure, But Refuses to Extend the Deadline
The FBR has turned down calls for an extension despite active lobbying from the Pakistan Tax Bar Association and several chambers of commerce around the country.
The FBR says it has already received a record 4.88 million tax returns this year, compared with 3.5 million at the same point last year.
If you do not file today, here is what applies from tomorrow:
- The late filer category is gone. Anyone who does not file today is downgraded straight to non-filer status. See FBR Discontinues the Late Filer Category.
- ATL surcharges have risen sharply, to reinstate your name on the Active Taxpayer List (ATL):
| Taxpayer | Before | Now |
|---|---|---|
| Salaried and business individuals | Rs 1,000 | Rs 25,000 |
| Associations of Persons (AOPs) | Rs 10,000 | Rs 50,000 |
| Corporate companies | Rs 20,000 | Rs 100,000 |
These surcharges are in addition to the late-filing penalty under Section 182, and the higher withholding tax rates that apply to non-filers.
How to Process Your Tax Payment Today
If you still need to pay before filing your return:
- Generate your PSID. Log in to FBR IRIS, go to the “Payment” tab and click “Create Payment.” Select the relevant tax and Tax Year 2026, enter the amount due, and generate your Payment Slip ID (PSID).
- Clear the payment. Print the PSID and pay at a commercial bank branch before 10:00 PM, or pay through your mobile banking app, ATM, or internet banking under FBR/1Bill.
- Secure your CPR. Once the payment clears, a Computerised Payment Receipt (CPR) is generated. Save the code securely, since you will need to enter the CPR number in your IRIS draft to reconcile the liability.
- Submit the return. After the payment is reconciled, finalise your wealth statement and submit the return.
Bank branches stop accepting cash or cheque payments at 10:00 PM, but IRIS itself accepts electronic submissions until 11:59 PM tonight. Even so, it is best to file earlier in the day and avoid the last-hour traffic.
Survival Tips for Deadline Day
- Use digital channels first. Pay through your mobile banking app rather than queuing at a branch.
- Double-check your Tax Year. Make sure the PSID you generate is for Tax Year 2026. Correcting a payment made under the wrong year or section is slow and difficult.
- Save your draft often. IRIS is under heavy load today, so click “Save” frequently to avoid losing your entries if you get logged out.
- Start with the wealth statement. Reconciling assets, tracking down IBANs and calculating expenses usually takes the longest, so tackle it first.
What Happens If You File Tomorrow?
Filing even a day late makes you a non-filer, with higher withholding tax on cash withdrawals, property purchases and vehicle purchases. For a typical salaried employee, the minimum cost of filing late tomorrow is around Rs 35,000, made up of the new Rs 25,000 ATL surcharge and the baseline late-filing penalty, before any complications with assets. See Penalty for Late Income Tax Return Filing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are banks open late today for tax payments?
Yes. All commercial bank branches in Pakistan remain open until 10:00 PM today, Wednesday, 30 September 2026, for over-the-counter collection of government dues and taxes.
Can I pay my FBR tax online after 10:00 PM?
Yes. Internet banking, mobile apps and ATMs remain available for digital payments. It is still best to pay well before midnight rather than risk a last-minute issue.
Is there any chance the FBR will extend the deadline?
Update: Yes. Later on 30 September 2026, the FBR officially extended the deadline to 15 October 2026 under Section 214A. See the official notification.
What is the penalty for filing after the deadline?
From tomorrow you are treated as a non-filer. To get back on the ATL, individuals pay a Rs 25,000 surcharge, AOPs pay Rs 50,000, and companies pay Rs 100,000.
Running Out of Time? We Are Filing Until Midnight
Do not risk a heavy penalty and losing your ATL status. Our team at TaxAccountant.pk is working through the night to process and file returns securely before the deadline. Contact us on WhatsApp now. See our income tax return filing services.
- WhatsApp / call: +92 339 505 0983
- Email: info@taxaccountant.pk
- Address: Office 1, First Floor, United Plaza, Main Service Road, Khanna Pull, Rawalpindi
