Active Taxpayer? Don’t Get Stuck Inactive: Understanding ATL Status

As an active taxpayer in Pakistan, maintaining a healthy Active Taxpayer List (ATL) status is crucial. But what triggers an ATL status to become inactive in March? This article explores the three main reasons and provides resources to stay compliant.

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Why Did Your ATL Status Become Inactive?

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) reviews taxpayer information in March and may deactivate your ATL status for the following reasons:

  1. Late Tax Return: Failing to file your income tax return by the due date (October 31st for the previous tax year) can lead to deactivation.
  2. Non-Filing of Tax Return: Completely neglecting to file your income tax return, regardless of the due date, will likely result in deactivation.
  3. Unpaid Late Filing Challan: If you filed your return late but didn’t pay the associated late filing penalty (challan), known as ATL Surcharge by the deadline, your ATL status might be deactivated.

Example: If you haven’t filed your tax return for the tax year 2023 (income earned between July 1st, 2022 and June 30th, 2023), and the due date has passed (October 31st, 2023), your ATL status might be deactivated on March 2024.

How to activate ATL status?

Here’s how to ensure your ATL status remains active:

  • File Your Tax Return on Time: Make filing your income tax return a priority by the designated due date.
  • Pay Any Late Filing Penalty: If you miss the filing deadline, file the return as soon as possible and pay the associated late filing challan to avoid deactivation.
  • Monitor Your ATL Status: Regularly check your ATL status on the FBR’s website using your National Tax Number (NTN). This allows you to identify any potential issues and take corrective action promptly.

New Late Filer Category:

Previously, taxpayers were classified as either “Filers” or “Non-Filers.” The new “Late Filer” category introduces a penalty for individuals and associations of persons (AOPs) who fail to submit their tax returns by the deadline (typically September 30th). Late filers will face higher tax rates compared to regular filers. For now separate tax rates for late filers are only introduced for Buying/Selling of property. However to ensure tax culture these rates might be extended to other income streams as well.

The concept of immediate Active Tax Filer is no more. Even the newly registered persons who filed past year tax returns (2023 and previous) or only current year tax return (2024) will be marked as Late Filers.

Consequences of an Inactive ATL Status:

An inactive ATL status can lead to various inconveniences:

  • Limited Business Transactions: Certain businesses may be reluctant to transact with you if your ATL status is inactive.
  • Difficulty Obtaining Loans: Financial institutions might hesitate to approve loans for individuals with inactive ATL status.
  • Delays in Government Services: Processing of government services, such as passport renewals, may be delayed due to an inactive ATL status.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Conclusion:

By understanding the reasons for ATL deactivation and taking proactive steps to stay compliant, you can ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience as an active taxpayer in Pakistan. Remember, timely filing, challan payments, and regular monitoring of your ATL status are key to maintaining an active and healthy tax profile.

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49 Comments

  1. Sir, I am already filled tax return 2023 wef 31 Jan 2023, consider ATL now shown inactive. Please what reason?

  2. Assalam o alaikum.
    Same thing happened with me. I’m showing in inactive list whereas I have filled on due date.
    Please guide.

    1. Zoya Zafar says:

      Please login to your fbr account to verify if when your return was submitted check the document date and due date.

  3. Alyas Rehmat says:

    I am an active taxpayer and also submitted my return last year.
    Today, when I checked ATL, I was surprised not to see my name there. I further checked as I am appearing as an active taxpayer up to Feb 2024 and then inactive; what could be the reason?

  4. Alyas Rehmat says:

    am an active taxpayer and also submitted my return last year.
    Today, when I checked ATL, I was surprised not to see my name there. I further checked as I am appearing as an active taxpayer up to Feb 2024 and then inactive; what could be the reason?

    1. Binte Zafar says:

      Assalamualikum
      Active Taxpayer list updates on 1st March every year.
      The reason could be late filing of return (after due date)
      You can pay the fine of 1,000 to get active (if above is the case)
      You can also WhatsApp for specific guidance.

    1. Binte Zafar says:

      Yes @0.06% on every transaction above 50k per day. In addition to other additional taxes for non filers

  5. FBR served my brother 2 notices for not filing the tax return for the tax year 2022 and 2023. He is retired person and his phone Sims are blocked. He deposited penalty of Rs 1,000 for the tax year 2023 but system does not facilitate to prepare penalty challan of Rs 1000 He is not earning money from anywhere else except House rent Rs 39,000 pm. Please guide me how to resolve the matter.

    1. Binte Zafar says:

      If he has filed Tax Return of 2023 and paid challan , his Sim will be restored within 72 hours.
      For specific solutions/question you can contact at our helpline 03 178 111 178

  6. Tariq Aziz says:

    السلام علیکم۔۔۔
    میں نے انکم ٹیکس ریٹرن مقررہ وقت کے بعد جمع کروائے ہیں جس کی وجہ سے میرا فائلر اسٹیٹس ختم کر دیا گیا ہے۔۔۔برائے مہربانی میرا فائلر اسٹیٹس دوبارہ ایکٹو کیا جائے۔۔۔بہت شکریہ

  7. AoA, submitted IT return 2023 on 9 Jan 2024 and now pay ATL surcharge Rs 1000 on 26 Jun 24. One day elapse but I am still in inactive list.plz how many time req to convert in active list.

  8. Muhammad Ishtiaque says:

    Why a government servant whose salary is beyond 600000 is shown as an inactive filer while tax is being deducted from his or her salary on monthly basis? Can FBR not design a way to protect government servants from this problem even they are regular tax payers.

    1. Binte Zafar says:

      Income Tax Return is a declaration of your assets and expenses throughout a year.
      It is so simple for Salaried class to file tax return yet they opt out of it dont understand that ….

  9. Zeenat Iqbal says:

    I’ve paid Surcharge of ATL(Rs 1000/-) on 30/06/2024 but my ATL status is still In-Active. Can you please confirm when it’ll be Active?

  10. Muhammad Ashar says:

    Assalam o alaikum,

    I want to know how the ATL surcharge challan will be made for the year 2022 now. The date has expired, and it says the creation of PSID under this Payment Section is only allowed for Tax Year 2023. Please guide. Thanks

      1. How many challans will be paid if I file my tax returns of last three years i.e. 2021, 2022 & 2023? Is it three or only one for 2023 and I’ll become active tax payer?

  11. Aoa. I have registered as a tax filer for first time yesterday and submitted my return for the FY 23-24.

    Right now my status is showing as INACTIVE

    How long will it take for my status to show as Active?

    1. Binte Zafar says:

      On 1st March 2025 (on basis of Tax Return 2024)
      For instant active filer status, file Return for TY 2023 and Pay late filing Fine

  12. Basat Aziz Dar says:

    I Have filed for 2023 and also generated PSID for ATL which has been paid. My other family members have also done so. They all are showing as late filers while im showing as in-active. Why is this?

  13. i have filed tax returns of 2023 recently and paid the ATL surcharge as well today but still it shows inactive. Will the status change in 2-3 hours as mentioned in comments or on monday (FBR site states updating of ATL on every monday)?

    1. Binte Zafar says:

      Within 2-3 hours of Filing 2023 Return and Paying of ATL Challan.

      Contact at 03178 111 178 for further assistance

  14. ALI ARIF khan says:

    I have filed returns for 23-24 and paid surcharge for 2023 but status is still active. It’s my first returns

  15. ALI ARIF khan says:

    I have filed returns for 23-24 and paid surcharge for 2023 but status is still inactive. It’s my first returns

    1. For immediate filer status activation file return for 2023 as well and pay fine.

      On 2024 basis ATL status will be updated on March 01, 2025

  16. I have filed my returns 2024 on time and also regularly filing returns since 2014. Why my account is inactive please guide.thanks

  17. I have paid my taxes, and filed them as well a week before deadline. However im still showing as inactive in ATL. whats the issue?

  18. Hi, i submitted my return late for year 2023 and paid the charges also on-time but still the ATL is showing me In-active. Further i filed my return for 2024 also last week on time but still the status is In-active. Kindly advise and help in this regard, how to correct the status to Active.

  19. Jawaid Ahmed says:

    My question is that a person is newly registered in FBR for filing his income tax return and also submit income tax return before due date, his statis is still In-Active in online verification. How to become his status Active in online verification. Please advice. Thanks

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