- Taxpayers received SMS to file returns after the deadline.
- The deadline for Tax Year 2025 ended on 30 September 2025.
- FBR said it did not approve or send these messages.
- PTA blamed a technical fault at telecom companies
Recently, taxpayers across Pakistan reported receiving messages from telecom service providers. The SMS asked them to file income tax returns for Tax Year 2025 before 30 September 2025, even though the deadline had already passed.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) said on Monday that it received multiple complaints from taxpayers regarding these messages. It confirmed that FBR did not authorize those SMS alerts.
What FBR Clarified
FBR explained that it follows a set process every year. In September, it contacts the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and asks it to send reminder messages to taxpayers to file their income tax returns before the legal deadline.
This year, FBR sent the request on 15 September 2025. All reminder SMS approved by FBR went out before 30 September 2025.
After the deadline passed, new messages appeared. FBR clarified that it did not approve these messages and did not instruct telecom companies to send them.
Why the Messages Were Sent
After checking the matter, PTA informed FBR that the SMS were sent because of a technical glitch at telecom service providers. This means a system error caused the messages to go out without approval.
FBR said it started reviewing the issue and asked PTA to contact the telecom companies involved to stop such messages and resolve the problem quickly.
FBR also said it remains available to help taxpayers and aims to provide clear and accurate information at all times.
