4.15mn tax returns submitted, extension requests keep pouring in

Approximately 4.15 million individual taxpayers have filed their income tax returns online so far. Alongside this, the requests for extensions are also pouring in.

In a press release on Sunday, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) said that the time extension facility for filing income tax returns has received a “massive response”.

Aside from a few exceptions, the government has made it mandatory for all individual taxpayers to file income tax returns online from the 2025-2026 tax year.

The tax agency says that more than 5 million taxpayers have already registered with the National Board of Revenue's e-return system to file returns. More than 4.15 million taxpayers have filed their returns online for the 2025-2026 tax year.

After several extensions, the deadline for filing returns for individual taxpayers has been extended to Mar 31. However, many are applying for extensions as the tax authority has provided a facility to get up to 90 additional days for returns.

NBR has launched an online system to make the process of applying for extensions and approvals easier, faster, more transparent, and more convenient.

Taxpayers can apply for extensions for filing returns online by logging into the e-return system and using the “Time Extension” menu.

NBR says that over the last few days, more than 5,000 taxpayers have applied for extensions. Most of the extensions have been approved.

When applications are made online, the tax commissioners of the concerned tax region approve the application online.

If the application is approved, the taxpayer can file the return online within the extended period without paying any penalty or additional tax.

Taxpayers who have not yet filed their returns must apply by Mar 31 if they want to file their returns within the extension period without penalty.