The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued the final electronic income tax return forms for Tax Year 2026, introducing changes to the return filing framework shortly before the September filing deadline.
The new forms have been notified through S.R.O. 1495(I)/2026 dated September 2, 2026.
The notification is important for individuals, businesses, Associations of Persons (AOPs), tax practitioners and other taxpayers preparing their income tax returns for Tax Year 2026.
FBR Issues SRO 1495(I)/2026
According to the latest notification, FBR has made amendments to the Income Tax Rules, 2002.
The changes have been incorporated into the Second Schedule of the rules. Four new parts have been added after Part-II-ZD:
- Part-II-ZE
- Part-II-ZF
- Part-II-ZG
- Part-II-ZH
FBR describes S.R.O. 1495(I)/2026 as relating to the Final Electronic Returns for Tax Year 2026.
The notification was issued on September 2, 2026 and is currently listed among the latest updates on FBR’s official website.
What Does the New FBR Notification Mean for Taxpayers?
Taxpayers preparing their Tax Year 2026 returns should make sure they are using the latest return available through FBR’s electronic filing system.
The changes are particularly important for people who started preparing their returns before the final notification was issued.
Taxpayers should carefully review the information shown in their electronic return before submitting it, especially where the updated form asks for additional financial or other information.
Tax consultants and accountants should also check the latest version of the return instead of relying solely on earlier drafts, screenshots or filing instructions prepared before the September notification.
Tax Year 2026 Filing Deadline
The timing of the notification is important because taxpayers are already in the annual income tax return filing season.
The standard due date for filing income tax returns for individuals and Associations of Persons is September 30.
This leaves taxpayers with a limited period to understand the final return requirements and complete their filing.
Taxpayers should therefore avoid waiting until the final days of September, particularly if their return involves business income, multiple sources of income, assets, liabilities or other detailed financial information.
Why Has the Timing Raised Concerns?
The changes have attracted attention among tax professionals because the final notification has arrived during the filing season.
Tax professionals cited in local reporting have expressed concern that changes introduced close to the September 30 deadline could create practical and technical difficulties for taxpayers and practitioners.
The issue is particularly relevant for taxpayers who had already started preparing their returns based on the earlier version of the form.
However, taxpayers should follow the final requirements notified by FBR and the forms currently made available through the official electronic filing system.
Nearly 2 Million Returns Already Filed
The 2026 filing season is already seeing significant activity.
According to figures reported in early September, FBR had received nearly 2 million income tax returns by September 5, 2026.
This was around 400,000 more returns than the roughly 1.6 million filed during the comparable period a year earlier.
Around Rs3.5 billion in tax was reportedly deposited with these returns.
The number is expected to increase significantly as the September 30 deadline approaches.
What Taxpayers Should Do Now
Anyone who still has to file an income tax return for Tax Year 2026 should check the latest return form before submission.
Taxpayers should also review their income, taxes deducted or paid, bank and investment information, assets, liabilities and other information required for their particular return.
Those who prepared a return before the latest changes should review it again before final submission.
It is also advisable to keep supporting records available in case any information entered in the return needs to be verified later.
Note
S.R.O. 1495(I)/2026 is an important development for Pakistan’s Tax Year 2026 filing season.
Taxpayers should rely on the latest FBR forms and official instructions when preparing their returns. Where a taxpayer’s financial or tax position is complicated, professional tax advice may be appropriate.
TaxToday.pk will continue to track FBR notifications, IRIS updates and any further changes affecting Tax Year 2026 return filing.
Official Reference: Federal Board of Revenue, S.R.O. 1495(I)/2026, dated September 2, 2026.