Pakistan opens digital tax portal to ease return filing for salaried class

Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) - the country’s main tax collection authority - has launched its online tax return portal for the 2025 tax year, enabling salaried individuals to file their returns digitally starting Tuesday, July 15.

A tax return is an official form submitted to the government detailing a person’s income, expenses and other financial information for a given year. Based on this, the government calculates how much tax is owed or whether a refund is due.

The announcement came a day after a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during which the FBR presented its roadmap for return filing and broader tax reforms.

According to an official statement, the FBR has significantly simplified this year’s return process, particularly for salaried individuals. Digital filing for other taxpayer categories will begin on July 30 and will include long-awaited Urdu-language return forms to make the process more accessible to the general public.

During the meeting, the FBR shared a detailed walkthrough of its new digital system, which consolidates taxpayer services on a centralized online platform. Officials said the system is designed to be more user-friendly, transparent, and efficient - enabling citizens to file their returns with greater ease and confidence.

The FBR had earlier published draft return forms on July 7 through SRO 1213(I)/2025, allowing a seven-day window for public feedback. These forms are now in the final stage of approval, reflecting the FBR’s emphasis on stakeholder consultation and transparency.

Prime Minister Sharif lauded the move, especially the inclusion of Urdu-language forms, calling it a “public-friendly step” that would ease the tax filing process for ordinary citizens.

“These simplified tax returns will especially benefit salaried individuals,” the premier said, emphasizing the need for third-party validation to ensure transparency and credibility.

He also directed the FBR to set up a dedicated helpline to assist taxpayers during the filing period and proposed digital invoicing in Urdu to make the process more inclusive.

To encourage wider participation and compliance, the FBR has also been tasked with launching a nationwide awareness campaign to educate the public on the new return filing features and the importance of meeting their tax obligations.