Don't wait until the last minute to file Tax Returns! Use coupon code EarlyBird on our store for 20% off on all of our services. Valid through July 31, 2026. Dismiss

Do you know?

Payments to electronic and print media for advertising services are taxed at just 1.5% for Active Taxpayers, compared to 3% for Non-Filers. • Providing IT and IT-enabled services costs Active Taxpayers just 4% in withholding tax, while Non-Filers must pay 8%. • Importing basic goods from Part-I of the Twelfth Schedule costs Active Taxpayers just 1% in tax, while Non-Filers have to pay 2%. • Active Filers importing CKD kits for Electric Vehicles pay a minimal 1% tax, whereas Non-Filers pay double at 2%. • Winning a prize bond or crossword puzzle means you lose 15% to taxes as an Active Filer, but a massive 30% if you are a Non-Filer. • Purchasing a 1601cc to 1800cc vehicle will cost Non-Filers a 9% tax, which is three times the 3% rate given to Active Filers. • If you receive dividends from Independent Power Purchasers (IPPs), Filers pay a 7.5% tax while Non-Filers surrender 15%. • Buyers of 1301cc to 1600cc cars pay a 2% advance tax if they are Filers, but Non-Filers pay exactly triple at 6%. • Profits on debt from mutual funds deriving 50% or more income from debt carry a huge 50% tax for Non-Filers, compared to 25% for Filers. • Cash withdrawals by a person whose name does not appear on the Active Taxpayers’ List are hit with an automatic 0.8% advance tax. • Importing pharmaceutical products carries an 8% tax for Non-Filers, which is exactly double the 4% rate applied to Active Taxpayers. • Buying a high-end 2501cc to 3000cc vehicle leaves Filers with a 9% tax bill, but absolutely punishes Non-Filers with a massive 27% tax rate. • Commercial importers of Part-II goods face a 3.5% withholding tax if they are Filers, but the rate doubles to 7% for Non-Filers. • The sale of petroleum products is taxed at 12% for Filers and exactly double that at 24% for Non-Filers. • Payments made to non-resident sportspersons incur a 15% tax if they are on the ATL, and a massive 30% if they are non-ATL. • Salaries under Rs. 600,000 are completely tax-free, maintaining a 0% rate regardless of your taxpayer status. • Dividends from Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and general companies cost Active Filers 15% in tax, but Non-Filers lose a massive 30%. • Pensions under 10 million rupees remain 100% tax-exempt for everyone, no matter what your filing status is. • Commercial importers bringing in Part-III items are hit with a 12% tax rate if they are Non-Filers, compared to only 6% for Active Filers. • Companies generating rental income from immovable property pay a 15% tax if they are Active Filers, but face a 30% rate as Non-Filers. • Capital gains arising on the disposal of certain debt securities are taxed at 15% for Filers, but double to 30% for Non-Filers. • Winning a raffle, lottery, or sales promotion prize costs Non-Filers a whopping 40% in tax, compared to 20% for Filers. • Registering a 1000cc motor vehicle costs Filers just 1% in tax, while Non-Filers are penalized with a 3% tax. • Registering a 2001cc to 2500cc luxury vehicle incurs a 7% tax for Active Filers, but a staggering 21% tax for Non-Filers. • Selling rice, cotton seed, or edible oils comes with a low 1.5% tax for Filers, but a 3% tax for Non-Filers. • The withholding tax on banking and financial institution profits is set at 20% for those on the Active Taxpayers’ List, but jumps to 40% for those off the list. • Payments to electronic and print media for advertising services are taxed at just 1.5% for Active Taxpayers, compared to 3% for Non-Filers. • Providing IT and IT-enabled services costs Active Taxpayers just 4% in withholding tax, while Non-Filers must pay 8%. • Importing basic goods from Part-I of the Twelfth Schedule costs Active Taxpayers just 1% in tax, while Non-Filers have to pay 2%. • Active Filers importing CKD kits for Electric Vehicles pay a minimal 1% tax, whereas Non-Filers pay double at 2%. • Winning a prize bond or crossword puzzle means you lose 15% to taxes as an Active Filer, but a massive 30% if you are a Non-Filer. • Purchasing a 1601cc to 1800cc vehicle will cost Non-Filers a 9% tax, which is three times the 3% rate given to Active Filers. • If you receive dividends from Independent Power Purchasers (IPPs), Filers pay a 7.5% tax while Non-Filers surrender 15%. • Buyers of 1301cc to 1600cc cars pay a 2% advance tax if they are Filers, but Non-Filers pay exactly triple at 6%. • Profits on debt from mutual funds deriving 50% or more income from debt carry a huge 50% tax for Non-Filers, compared to 25% for Filers. • Cash withdrawals by a person whose name does not appear on the Active Taxpayers’ List are hit with an automatic 0.8% advance tax. • Importing pharmaceutical products carries an 8% tax for Non-Filers, which is exactly double the 4% rate applied to Active Taxpayers. • Buying a high-end 2501cc to 3000cc vehicle leaves Filers with a 9% tax bill, but absolutely punishes Non-Filers with a massive 27% tax rate. • Commercial importers of Part-II goods face a 3.5% withholding tax if they are Filers, but the rate doubles to 7% for Non-Filers. • The sale of petroleum products is taxed at 12% for Filers and exactly double that at 24% for Non-Filers. • Payments made to non-resident sportspersons incur a 15% tax if they are on the ATL, and a massive 30% if they are non-ATL. • Salaries under Rs. 600,000 are completely tax-free, maintaining a 0% rate regardless of your taxpayer status. • Dividends from Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and general companies cost Active Filers 15% in tax, but Non-Filers lose a massive 30%. • Pensions under 10 million rupees remain 100% tax-exempt for everyone, no matter what your filing status is. • Commercial importers bringing in Part-III items are hit with a 12% tax rate if they are Non-Filers, compared to only 6% for Active Filers. • Companies generating rental income from immovable property pay a 15% tax if they are Active Filers, but face a 30% rate as Non-Filers. • Capital gains arising on the disposal of certain debt securities are taxed at 15% for Filers, but double to 30% for Non-Filers. • Winning a raffle, lottery, or sales promotion prize costs Non-Filers a whopping 40% in tax, compared to 20% for Filers. • Registering a 1000cc motor vehicle costs Filers just 1% in tax, while Non-Filers are penalized with a 3% tax. • Registering a 2001cc to 2500cc luxury vehicle incurs a 7% tax for Active Filers, but a staggering 21% tax for Non-Filers. • Selling rice, cotton seed, or edible oils comes with a low 1.5% tax for Filers, but a 3% tax for Non-Filers. • The withholding tax on banking and financial institution profits is set at 20% for those on the Active Taxpayers’ List, but jumps to 40% for those off the list. •

₨ 0

Do you know?

Buying a high-end 2501cc to 3000cc vehicle leaves Filers with a 9% tax bill, but absolutely punishes Non-Filers with a massive 27% tax rate. • Companies generating rental income from immovable property pay a 15% tax if they are Active Filers, but face a 30% rate as Non-Filers. • Commercial importers of Part-II goods face a 3.5% withholding tax if they are Filers, but the rate doubles to 7% for Non-Filers. • Importing basic goods from Part-I of the Twelfth Schedule costs Active Taxpayers just 1% in tax, while Non-Filers have to pay 2%. • Salaries under Rs. 600,000 are completely tax-free, maintaining a 0% rate regardless of your taxpayer status. • Winning a raffle, lottery, or sales promotion prize costs Non-Filers a whopping 40% in tax, compared to 20% for Filers. • Importing pharmaceutical products carries an 8% tax for Non-Filers, which is exactly double the 4% rate applied to Active Taxpayers. • Profits on debt from mutual funds deriving 50% or more income from debt carry a huge 50% tax for Non-Filers, compared to 25% for Filers. • Winning a prize bond or crossword puzzle means you lose 15% to taxes as an Active Filer, but a massive 30% if you are a Non-Filer. • Payments made to non-resident sportspersons incur a 15% tax if they are on the ATL, and a massive 30% if they are non-ATL. • Cash withdrawals by a person whose name does not appear on the Active Taxpayers’ List are hit with an automatic 0.8% advance tax. • Payments to electronic and print media for advertising services are taxed at just 1.5% for Active Taxpayers, compared to 3% for Non-Filers. • Capital gains arising on the disposal of certain debt securities are taxed at 15% for Filers, but double to 30% for Non-Filers. • Providing IT and IT-enabled services costs Active Taxpayers just 4% in withholding tax, while Non-Filers must pay 8%. • Active Filers importing CKD kits for Electric Vehicles pay a minimal 1% tax, whereas Non-Filers pay double at 2%. • The sale of petroleum products is taxed at 12% for Filers and exactly double that at 24% for Non-Filers. • Selling rice, cotton seed, or edible oils comes with a low 1.5% tax for Filers, but a 3% tax for Non-Filers. • Registering a 1000cc motor vehicle costs Filers just 1% in tax, while Non-Filers are penalized with a 3% tax. • If you receive dividends from Independent Power Purchasers (IPPs), Filers pay a 7.5% tax while Non-Filers surrender 15%. • Dividends from Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and general companies cost Active Filers 15% in tax, but Non-Filers lose a massive 30%. • Purchasing a 1601cc to 1800cc vehicle will cost Non-Filers a 9% tax, which is three times the 3% rate given to Active Filers. • Commercial importers bringing in Part-III items are hit with a 12% tax rate if they are Non-Filers, compared to only 6% for Active Filers. • Buyers of 1301cc to 1600cc cars pay a 2% advance tax if they are Filers, but Non-Filers pay exactly triple at 6%. • The withholding tax on banking and financial institution profits is set at 20% for those on the Active Taxpayers’ List, but jumps to 40% for those off the list. • Registering a 2001cc to 2500cc luxury vehicle incurs a 7% tax for Active Filers, but a staggering 21% tax for Non-Filers. • Pensions under 10 million rupees remain 100% tax-exempt for everyone, no matter what your filing status is. • Buying a high-end 2501cc to 3000cc vehicle leaves Filers with a 9% tax bill, but absolutely punishes Non-Filers with a massive 27% tax rate. • Companies generating rental income from immovable property pay a 15% tax if they are Active Filers, but face a 30% rate as Non-Filers. • Commercial importers of Part-II goods face a 3.5% withholding tax if they are Filers, but the rate doubles to 7% for Non-Filers. • Importing basic goods from Part-I of the Twelfth Schedule costs Active Taxpayers just 1% in tax, while Non-Filers have to pay 2%. • Salaries under Rs. 600,000 are completely tax-free, maintaining a 0% rate regardless of your taxpayer status. • Winning a raffle, lottery, or sales promotion prize costs Non-Filers a whopping 40% in tax, compared to 20% for Filers. • Importing pharmaceutical products carries an 8% tax for Non-Filers, which is exactly double the 4% rate applied to Active Taxpayers. • Profits on debt from mutual funds deriving 50% or more income from debt carry a huge 50% tax for Non-Filers, compared to 25% for Filers. • Winning a prize bond or crossword puzzle means you lose 15% to taxes as an Active Filer, but a massive 30% if you are a Non-Filer. • Payments made to non-resident sportspersons incur a 15% tax if they are on the ATL, and a massive 30% if they are non-ATL. • Cash withdrawals by a person whose name does not appear on the Active Taxpayers’ List are hit with an automatic 0.8% advance tax. • Payments to electronic and print media for advertising services are taxed at just 1.5% for Active Taxpayers, compared to 3% for Non-Filers. • Capital gains arising on the disposal of certain debt securities are taxed at 15% for Filers, but double to 30% for Non-Filers. • Providing IT and IT-enabled services costs Active Taxpayers just 4% in withholding tax, while Non-Filers must pay 8%. • Active Filers importing CKD kits for Electric Vehicles pay a minimal 1% tax, whereas Non-Filers pay double at 2%. • The sale of petroleum products is taxed at 12% for Filers and exactly double that at 24% for Non-Filers. • Selling rice, cotton seed, or edible oils comes with a low 1.5% tax for Filers, but a 3% tax for Non-Filers. • Registering a 1000cc motor vehicle costs Filers just 1% in tax, while Non-Filers are penalized with a 3% tax. • If you receive dividends from Independent Power Purchasers (IPPs), Filers pay a 7.5% tax while Non-Filers surrender 15%. • Dividends from Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and general companies cost Active Filers 15% in tax, but Non-Filers lose a massive 30%. • Purchasing a 1601cc to 1800cc vehicle will cost Non-Filers a 9% tax, which is three times the 3% rate given to Active Filers. • Commercial importers bringing in Part-III items are hit with a 12% tax rate if they are Non-Filers, compared to only 6% for Active Filers. • Buyers of 1301cc to 1600cc cars pay a 2% advance tax if they are Filers, but Non-Filers pay exactly triple at 6%. • The withholding tax on banking and financial institution profits is set at 20% for those on the Active Taxpayers’ List, but jumps to 40% for those off the list. • Registering a 2001cc to 2500cc luxury vehicle incurs a 7% tax for Active Filers, but a staggering 21% tax for Non-Filers. • Pensions under 10 million rupees remain 100% tax-exempt for everyone, no matter what your filing status is. •

How to Become a Filer in Pakistan (2025) – Step-by-Step Guide

Learn how to become a filer in Pakistan with this complete, step-by-step guide for 2025. Understand who needs to file, when you're required to file, and explore three different methods to activate your filer status—standard, short-term, and urgent—using your NTN and FBR IRIS portal.

Becoming a filer in Pakistan is essential for anyone who wants to reduce their tax burden, avoid penalties, and access legal and financial benefits. Whether you’re a salaried individual, freelancer, investor, or business owner, understanding the steps to becoming an active taxpayer is crucial under Pakistan’s tax laws.

This article explains the complete process of how to become a filer, from verifying or registering your NTN to filing your return and activating your status in the Active Taxpayers List (ATL).

What Is a Filer?

A filer is someone whose name appears in the FBR Active Taxpayers List. Filers enjoy reduced withholding taxes on property transfers, banking transactions, vehicle registration, and more. You become a filer by filing your annual income tax return through FBR’s IRIS system, and your status becomes active from November 1 following your return submission.

Late Filer vs. Active Filer

Both late and timely filers appear on the ATL and enjoy most benefits. However, late filers (those who file after the deadline) are charged extra withholding taxes on property transactions. File before the September 30, 2025 deadline to avoid this.

Who Is Required to Become a Filer?

Not everyone with an NTN is immediately required to become a filer. If you registered your NTN on or after July 1, 2025, and had no taxable income before June 30, 2025, you are not required to file immediately—unless you want to enjoy ATL benefits. You can still open a bank account, register a business, or own assets using your NTN without becoming an active filer until you meet the legal requirements.

You must file income tax returns if any of the following apply:

Your monthly income exceeded Rs. 50,000 (or Rs. 600,000 annually) before June 30, 2025.
You owned movable or immovable assets (property, investments, etc.) before June 30, 2025.
You want to reduce withholding tax deductions on different transactions.
You intend to apply for visas, loans, or other things need you to be a filer.

If you acquired assets in any year, or your income was taxable you’re required to start filing returns from that year— even if you weren’t previously registered with FBR.

Condition	Filing Requirement
NTN issued before July 1, 2025	Must file for 2024–25
NTN issued on/after July 1, 2025	File from July to September 2026 (unless you opt for early ATL)
Taxable income or assets owned anytime	Must file from that tax year

Step 1: Register or Check Your NTN

The first step to becoming a filer is ensuring you have a valid National Tax Number (NTN). Before applying, it’s important to verify whether an NTN is already registered in your name.

To do this, follow our guide on how to check your NTN using your CNIC online. If you find that no NTN is registered, you can proceed to register a free NTN online using your CNIC without needing to visit any FBR office.

If you already have an NTN but lost your credentials, see our guide on how to reset your IRIS password online for free. This will help you regain access to your FBR portal without delay.

Step 2: Gather Required Information

Before filing your tax return, gather your personal, financial, and income data. You’ll need salary certificates, bank statements, business income details, asset information, and expense records.

Refer to our checklist of things you need before filing your tax returns to ensure smooth submission.

Step 3: File Your Income Tax Return via IRIS

After gathering your information, log in to the IRIS portal and complete your income tax return for the relevant year.

For most new filers in 2025, the appropriate tax year will be 2024–25, which covers income earned between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. Filing for this period before September 30, 2025 will activate your ATL status daily.

Follow our complete guide on how to file income tax returns in Pakistan online using IRIS.

Want to Become a Filer Earlier?

If you need to become a filer urgently—for example, to purchase property or register a car—you can file a return for the current year (2024–25). Before September 30 ATL will be updated witout payment of additional fine/surcharge.

This method allows immediate inclusion in the Active Taxpayers List, even if you were classified as a late filer (different advance tax rates will apply for property transactions).

2 Ways to Become a Filer in Pakistan

Here’s a summary of the three available routes to filer status:

1. Standard Method (Long-Term)

NTN registered after July 1, 2025
File return for 2025–26 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026)
Status becomes active in September, 2026
No ATL surcharge required

2. Urgent Method (Immediate Activation)

File return for 2024–25 (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025)
ATL status becomes active on daily basis till September 30 (or extended deadline for filing)
No ATL surcharge required
Ideal for planning future benefits like travel, investments

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re doing it for compliance, financial planning, or legal benefits, it’s smart to become a filer in Pakistan as soon as you’re eligible. Start by verifying your NTN, registering if necessary, collecting your tax information, and filing your return using the IRIS portal.

Choose the method that fits your needs: standard, short-term, or urgent, and unlock the benefits of being a responsible taxpayer.

Muhammad Ebrahim

Intern at TaxationPk, actively contributing to various taxation-related projects. Continuously learning and gaining hands-on experience, bringing enthusiasm and a fresh perspective to the team.

Articles: 46