There are exactly eight days left to become an income tax filer in Pakistan — free of charge.
After September 30, 2026, that option closes. Anyone who files after the deadline will need to pay a PKR 25,000 ATL surcharge on top of their regular filing fee — simply to restore the active filer status that is available at no extra cost right now.
This is not a scare tactic. It is a factual difference between filing before September 30 and filing after it — and it is the single most compelling reason to act today rather than tomorrow.
At Qureshi And Company, based in Gulshan-e-Ravi, Lahore, we have been helping individuals and businesses across the city become active FBR filers for over ten years. In the final days before every deadline, we see the same pattern repeat: people who intended to file earlier leave it to the last week, rush through the process under pressure, and either make errors that invite FBR notices or miss the deadline entirely and face the surcharge they could have avoided.
This guide is for everyone in Lahore who is still on the fence — and who can save PKR 25,000 by making one simple decision today.
Filing your income tax return before September 30 activates your ATL status on a daily basis without any additional payment. After this date, filing late triggers an ATL surcharge requirement which FBR currently sets at PKR 25,000 for individuals seeking to restore their active filer status.
To be clear about what this means in practice:
Before September 30: File your return, pay your regular tax if applicable, confirm ATL status. No surcharge. No extra cost.
After September 30: File your return, pay your regular tax if applicable, pay PKR 25,000 ATL surcharge to appear on the Active Taxpayers List. Same outcome — PKR 25,000 more expensive. Extensions are sometimes announced close to the deadline but should never be assumed. File before September 30 to avoid last-minute IRIS congestion and unnecessary risk.
The surcharge is not a penalty for filing incorrectly. It is simply the cost of being late — and it is entirely avoidable by filing before the deadline closes.
The Financial Case for Becoming a Filer Right Now
Beyond the PKR 25,000 surcharge, remaining a non-filer after September 30 continues to carry significant ongoing financial costs that most Lahore residents seriously underestimate.
Banking transactions. Non-filers pay 0.6% withholding tax on cash withdrawals above PKR 50,000. Active filers pay 0.3%. For a business owner in Gulshan-e-Ravi or a trader in Baghbanpura making regular banking transactions, this difference accumulates into substantial sums every single month.
Property purchases. Non-filers pay up to 6% withholding tax on property transactions. Active filers pay 3%. On a PKR 5 million property — a routine figure across DHA Lahore, Valencia, or Gulberg — the saving is PKR 150,000 on a single transaction.
Vehicle registration. Non-filers pay higher annual token tax. The difference repeats every year the vehicle is registered.
Business contracts and supply payments. Non-filer businesses face higher withholding deductions on every payment received — directly reducing monthly income.
When you add the PKR 25,000 surcharge to the ongoing elevated withholding rates that continue until ATL status is restored, the total cost of missing the September 30 deadline easily reaches PKR 100,000 or more within the first year. Every rupee of that cost is avoidable — by filing now.
Who Should File Before September 30?
Salaried employees across Lahore — from professionals near Davis Road and Mall Road to government employees in Allama Iqbal Town and Iqbal Town — whose employers deduct withholding tax at source but who have not yet filed a personal income tax return. Your employer’s deductions do not replace your personal return. You must file separately to appear on the ATL and access filer rates on your personal transactions.
Salary tax filers near Gulshan-e-Ravi, near Samanabad, near Shimla Pahari, and near Davis Road represent the single largest group of Lahore residents still outside the ATL as of September 2026. Most of these individuals are paying elevated withholding on banking transactions simply because they have never taken the step of filing a personal return.
Freelancers and remote workers earning from international platforms — Upwork, Fiverr, or direct foreign clients — who need to declare their income correctly and establish a clean FBR compliance record. The September 30 deadline applies regardless of whether your income originates from Pakistan or abroad.
Shopkeepers and traders in commercial areas including Baghbanpura, Badami Bagh, Bund Road, Sabzazar, and Sant Nagar who are currently non-filers paying elevated withholding on business receipts.
Property owners in Gulshan-e-Ravi, Samanabad, Chauburji, DHA Lahore, Valencia, and across Lahore who regularly transact in property and are paying double the transaction tax rate of their active filer counterparts.
Business owners of all sizes who need their income tax return, wealth statement, and advance tax position correctly filed before the year closes — protecting them from FBR audit risk and ensuring their business operates from a position of full compliance.
What Becoming a Filer Before September 30 Involves
The process is straightforward when handled by a qualified professional. At Qureshi And Company, we manage every step on your behalf.
NTN Registration. If you have never registered with FBR, your National Tax Number must be activated on the IRIS system before filing can begin. We complete this within 24 hours for most clients.
Document Collection. You provide your CNIC, salary certificate or business income records, bank statements for all accounts, withholding tax certificates, and details of any property or vehicles owned. We provide a personalized checklist during your free initial consultation so nothing is missed.
Income Tax Return Preparation. Your return must correctly declare all income sources, apply every eligible deduction and tax credit, and present a wealth statement that is accurate and reconciled with your declared income. This is the step where most self-filers make errors that create FBR problems later. Our FBR-authorized practitioner prepares every return directly — not outsourced to unqualified staff.
IRIS Submission and ATL Confirmation. Your return is submitted through the FBR IRIS portal. Your acknowledgment receipt is issued immediately. Your name appears on the FBR Active Taxpayers List within 24 to 72 hours. We verify your ATL status and confirm it before closing your file.
The entire process — from first contact to ATL confirmation — is completed within 24 to 48 hours for most individual returns.
Legal Deductions That Reduce Your Tax Before You File
Becoming a filer is not just about compliance — it is about accessing every legal deduction you are entitled to before the deadline closes the planning window.
Section 62 — Investment in listed shares or mutual funds. Investments made before September 30, 2026 qualify for a tax credit of up to 20% of the invested amount — reducing the final tax payable on your return.
Section 60 — Zakat deduction. Zakat paid through official banking channels is fully deductible from taxable income. Many residents across Lahore pay Zakat every year but never claim the deduction because they have never filed a return.
Section 61 — Charitable donations. Donations to approved organizations qualify for a tax credit up to 30% of taxable income.
Section 60B — Education expenses. Parents paying tuition fees for children at Pakistani institutions can claim a 5% tax credit on fees paid during the year.
Health insurance premiums. Premiums on approved insurance policies generate a tax credit that directly reduces annual liability.
At Qureshi And Company, identifying and applying every applicable deduction is standard in every return we prepare. Our clients consistently save 15 to 20 percent on annual tax liability through correct application of these provisions.
Why Qureshi And Company — and Why Now
There are many tax consultants in Lahore. What distinguishes Qureshi And Company in the final days before September 30 is simple: we can actually get your return filed before the deadline closes.
Numan Qureshi is an FBR-authorized Income Tax Practitioner with over ten years of experience. Every return is prepared by him directly. NTN registrations are completed within 24 hours. Returns are filed within 24 to 48 hours of receiving documents. ATL status is confirmed before we close your file.
We serve clients across all areas of Lahore — Gulshan-e-Ravi, Samanabad, Chauburji, Baghbanpura, Badami Bagh, Bund Road, Sabzazar, Sant Nagar, Shahdara, Shimla Pahari, Allama Iqbal Town, Iqbal Town, Gulberg, Lawrence Garden, Davis Road, Mall Road, Jail Road, DHA Lahore, Valencia, Model Town, Johar Town, Garden Town, Faisal Town, and all of Lahore.
All services are available remotely through WhatsApp — no office visit required.
Free initial consultation is available for every new client. Contact us today at qureshiandcompany.com and become a filer before September 30 — without the PKR 25,000 surcharge.
Phone: 0325-5111169 Location: Gulshan-e-Ravi, Lahore
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I miss the September 30, 2026 filing deadline?
If you miss the September 30 deadline, you can still file your income tax return — but a PKR 25,000 ATL surcharge applies to restore your active filer status, in addition to daily penalties under Section 182 of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001 starting at PKR 1,000 per day. Filing before September 30 avoids both the surcharge and the penalties entirely.
How quickly can Qureshi And Company file my return before September 30?
At Qureshi And Company, most individual income tax returns are filed within 24 to 48 hours of receiving all required documents. For clients who contact us in the final days before September 30, we prioritize deadline filings to ensure your return is submitted on time. Contact us immediately at qureshiandcompany.com.
What is the PKR 25,000 ATL surcharge and who has to pay it?
The ATL surcharge is a fee payable to FBR by individuals who file their income tax return after the September 30 deadline and wish to appear on the Active Taxpayers List. It is set at PKR 25,000 for individuals. Filing before September 30 eliminates this charge entirely — your ATL status activates at no additional cost when you file on time.
Can I become a filer before September 30 without visiting an FBR office?
Yes. All FBR income tax return filing is processed through the IRIS online portal. Qureshi And Company manages the complete process remotely — you share documents via WhatsApp, we prepare and file your return, and you receive your acknowledgment receipt and ATL confirmation digitally. No FBR office visit is required.
I am salaried — does my employer's withholding tax mean I am already a filer?
No. Your employer deducts withholding tax at source and submits it to FBR — but this does not file a personal income tax return on your behalf. You must separately register your NTN on IRIS and file your own annual return to appear on the Active Taxpayers List. Qureshi And Company handles this for salaried clients across Lahore within 24 hours.