FBR Launches New Electronic Income Tax Return Form for Individuals – What You Must Know in 2025

 

FBR Launches New Electronic Income Tax

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has officially introduced a new electronic income tax return form for individuals, aiming to simplify and streamline the tax filing process for the fiscal year 2024–25. The new digital form is now available on FBR’s IRIS portal, making it mandatory for salaried individuals and non-business filers to submit their returns electronically using this updated system.

This major step is part of FBR’s broader digitalization efforts and will significantly impact how taxpayers in Pakistan manage their income tax obligations moving forward.

Who Must File the New Income Tax Return?

The new electronic income tax return form is applicable to:

• Salaried individuals

• Non-salaried individuals

• Pensioners with additional income

• Non-business individual filers

FBR has made it clear that all such individuals must now file their income tax returns using this new digital form via the IRIS platform. Manual submission is no longer an option.

Key Changes Introduced in the New Form

FBR’s revised income tax return form includes several updated sections designed to improve data accuracy and compliance. Some key changes include:

• Updated fields for salary, property, and other income sources

• Enhanced auto-calculations for tax liabilities and deductions

• Pre-filled data from third-party integrations, where available

• Separate annexes for foreign income, assets, and agricultural income

This move is intended to reduce errors, prevent under-reporting, and help individual taxpayers better understand their annual income tax liabilities.

Why Is This Important?

Filing income tax returns in Pakistan has traditionally been a complex and often intimidating task for individuals unfamiliar with legal or financial documentation. With this new initiative, FBR is trying to bring more transparency and efficiency into the system. The hope is to increase the number of active filers by making the tax return process easier to complete and harder to manipulate.

This is also in line with the government’s broader strategy to increase revenue collection and widen the tax net without increasing the overall burden on compliant taxpayers.

Deadline for Filing Returns

The deadline to file your income tax return for the tax year 2024–25 using the new form is expected to remain September 30, 2025. However, delays or extensions are subject to FBR notifications, so individuals are advised to complete the filing process well before the deadline to avoid penalties.

How to Access and File the New Income Tax Return

To file your return using the new system, follow these steps:

1. Visit the official FBR website at www.fbr.gov.pk

2. Log in to your IRIS account

3. Click on the newly introduced income tax return form for individuals

4. Complete all required sections accurately

5. Review, validate, and submit

Those unfamiliar with the platform can seek help through FBR’s helpdesk, tax consultants, or official tutorials provided on the IRIS portal.

The launch of the new income tax return form by FBR marks a significant move towards digital transparency and ease of doing compliance in Pakistan. This updated system is expected to improve tax filing accuracy, ensure smoother processing, and ultimately, foster a better relationship between the taxpayer and the tax system.

If you’re an individual earning in Pakistan—whether salaried, retired with income, or self-employed—you should take immediate steps to familiarize yourself with the new form and ensure your income tax return is filed properly before the deadline.