How to Unblock Sim after Becoming Active Filer?

Unblock Your SIM After Tax Return Filing: A Guide for Non-Filers

Many non-filers in Pakistan recently had their mobile SIM cards blocked by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for not filing income tax returns. But fret no more! If you’ve since filed your return, here’s how to get your SIM card reactivated.

Good News: Automatic Unblocking!

The process has become even smoother. Once you achieve Active Taxpayer (ATL) status by filing your 2023 income tax return and paying the ATL surcharge of Rs. 1,000, your blocked SIM card should be automatically reactivated by the FBR.

Maximum Waiting Time: 72 Hours

In most cases, the unblocking process is swift. While the maximum timeframe for reactivation can be up to 72 hours, your SIM card might be functional within a few hours after achieving ATL status.

Important Steps for Guaranteed Success:

• File Your Return (2023): Ensure you’ve filed your income tax return for the year 2023.
• Pay the ATL Surcharge (Section 182): Double-check that you’ve paid the Rs. 1,000 ATL surcharge under the correct section, which is Section 182 – Payment of surcharge.

Forgot Your FBR Password? No Problem!

Even if you’ve forgotten your FBR password and your SIM is blocked, you can still reset your password. Here’s the good news: password reset on the FBR website allows email verification, so you don’t necessarily need a functioning SIM card for this process.

Taking Care of Your Tax Obligations

This situation highlights the importance of filing your income tax returns on time if you’re legally required to do so. By staying compliant with tax regulations, you can avoid inconveniences like SIM card blockages and contribute your fair share to Pakistan’s revenue.