The income tax return deadline for Tax Year 2026 passed on 31 October 2026, and the message for taxpayers now changes from filing in time to checking status and fixing late filing. If you filed your return and wealth statement before the deadline, your next step is to confirm that both moved from Draft to Completed Tasks on the IRIS portal and that your name appears on the Active Taxpayers List. If you missed the deadline, you can still file late, but restoring active taxpayer status now carries a surcharge under the Finance Act 2026, so late filers should act quickly rather than waiting for the next tax year.
Infographic: FBR filer status check – deadline and key actions
Check or action
How
Detail
Return filed check
IRIS portal
Return and wealth statement must both show Completed Tasks, not Draft
Active taxpayer check by SMS
Send SMS to 9966
Type ATL, space, then 13-digit CNIC without dashes
Company check by SMS
Send SMS to 9966
Companies and associations use their 7-digit tax number
Online list check
FBR ATL search
Search your CNIC or tax number on the official list
Late filer surcharge
Finance Act 2026
Rs 25,000 individual, Rs 50,000 association, Rs 100,000 company
Deadline History: Why 31 October Matters
The Tax Year 2026 return deadline was extended twice before settling on 31 October 2026, with an earlier extension to 15 October 2026 along the way. Those extensions gave taxpayers extra time, but they also created confusion, because some filers kept waiting for another extension that did not come. The deadline has now passed, which means the question for every taxpayer is no longer when to file but whether the filing is complete and whether active taxpayer status is safe.
Final deadline: The Tax Year 2026 return deadline was 31 October 2026.
Two extensions: The deadline was extended twice, including an earlier extension to 15 October 2026.
No more waiting: No further extension should be assumed after the deadline has passed.
Late filing open: Late returns can still be filed, but active status restoration now costs a surcharge.
Check first: Confirm your filing status before assuming you are on the active list.
Many taxpayers believe they have filed when they have only saved a draft, and that mistake can cost active taxpayer status. A return counts as filed only when both the income tax return and the wealth statement have moved from Draft to Completed Tasks on the IRIS portal. Taxpayers should log in to IRIS, open their tasks and confirm that both items show as completed, because a return filed without the wealth statement is not a complete filing for active list purposes.
Two documents: Both the return and the wealth statement must be filed, not just the return.
Draft warning: A document still showing as Draft does not count as filed.
Completed Tasks: Both items must show under Completed Tasks on the IRIS portal.
Keep proof: Save or print the completed task record and the acknowledgement for your record.
Fix drafts now: If either item is still a draft, complete and submit it immediately.
Check Filer Status by SMS and Online
The fastest filer check is by SMS: type ATL, leave a space, then type your 13-digit CNIC without dashes, and send the message to 9966. Companies and associations of persons use their 7-digit tax number instead of a CNIC in the same message format. Taxpayers can also check online through the IRIS portal and the official Active Taxpayers List search, and the Tax Asaan app also offers filer verification. Since the 2024 rule change, the active list is updated daily rather than weekly, so a newly completed filing should reflect on the list faster than in earlier years.
SMS format: Type ATL, space, then your 13-digit CNIC without dashes, and send to 9966.
Company format: Companies and associations use their 7-digit tax number in the SMS.
Online check: Use the IRIS portal and the official Active Taxpayers List search online.
App check: The Tax Asaan app also offers filer verification for taxpayers.
Daily updates: The active list is updated daily since the 2024 rule change, not weekly.
Late filers can still file their Tax Year 2026 return, but restoring active taxpayer status after the due date now carries a surcharge under section 182A of the Finance Act 2026. The surcharge is Rs 25,000 for an individual, Rs 50,000 for an association of persons and Rs 100,000 for a company. Late filers should file the return and wealth statement first, then follow the official process for surcharge payment and status restoration, rather than assuming that filing alone restores active status automatically.
Individual surcharge: Rs 25,000 to restore active taxpayer status for an individual late filer.
Association surcharge: Rs 50,000 to restore active taxpayer status for an association of persons.
Company surcharge: Rs 100,000 to restore active taxpayer status for a company late filer.
File first: File the return and wealth statement completely before seeking restoration.
Follow official process: Use the official IRIS process for surcharge payment and status restoration.
How to Register and File as a New Taxpayer
Citizens who have never filed can still join the tax system by registering on IRIS with their CNIC, a mobile SIM registered in their own name, an email address and a bank certificate to obtain a tax number. After registration, the taxpayer files the income tax return and the wealth statement for the relevant tax year through IRIS. New filers should keep their salary slips, bank statements, property and vehicle records ready before starting, because the wealth statement needs a fair picture of assets and liabilities.
Registration items: CNIC, a SIM in your own name, email address and bank certificate are needed.
Tax number: Registration on IRIS provides the tax number needed for filing.
Two filings: File both the return and the wealth statement for the tax year.
Records ready: Keep salary slips, bank statements and asset records ready before filing.
Help route: Use the official IRIS help and helpline rather than paying an unauthorised agent.
Taxpayer type
Late surcharge
What it restores
Individual
Rs 25,000
Active taxpayer status after late filing
Association of persons
Rs 50,000
Active taxpayer status after late filing
Company
Rs 100,000
Active taxpayer status after late filing
On-time filer
No surcharge
Active status follows complete filing by the due date
The 31 October 2026 deadline has passed, so every taxpayer should now check that both the return and the wealth statement show as Completed Tasks on IRIS and that their name appears on the Active Taxpayers List. On-time filers who confirm completion have nothing more to do, while late filers should file completely and pay the applicable surcharge to restore active status. Checking by SMS to 9966 takes a minute, and that minute can save the higher withholding rates and banking costs that non-filers face.
Infographic: FBR filer status checks and late filer surcharge
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Tax Year 2026 return deadline?
The deadline was 31 October 2026, after two extensions including one to 15 October 2026.
How do I check filer status by SMS?
Type ATL, space, then your 13-digit CNIC without dashes, and send the message to 9966.
Does a draft return count as filed?
No. Both the return and the wealth statement must show as Completed Tasks on IRIS.
What is the late filer surcharge?
Rs 25,000 for an individual, Rs 50,000 for an association of persons and Rs 100,000 for a company.
How often is the active list updated?
The Active Taxpayers List is updated daily since the 2024 rule change, not weekly.
Shahzad Sahil is the editor of lahorejobs24.com, covering government jobs, private jobs, bank jobs, results and education news for Lahore and Punjab, with information verified from official sources.
