Tax Filers: Nearly 12 Million Pakistanis Register for One-Time Transactions, FBR Data Shows

ISLAMABAD, November 5, 2026 — Nearly 12 million people in Pakistan have registered with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) primarily to complete one-time financial transactions, such as purchasing or selling property and vehicles, but have not continued filing annual income tax returns, according to FBR data.

Sources said approximately 7.5 million taxpayers regularly submit income tax returns, while nearly 12 million individuals entered the tax system to obtain filer status for specific transactions without maintaining annual filing compliance.

Although these individuals rarely participate in the tax system afterwards, their registrations remain active with the FBR. As a result, they continue to receive automated notices for failing to submit subsequent tax returns.

The notices are generally sent through email, leaving many individuals unaware of their non-compliance until they access the FBR’s IRIS portal to file a return for another transaction.

The situation has raised concerns about whether individuals without taxable income should remain subject to annual filing requirements simply because they previously registered as filers to purchase or sell property or vehicles.

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The growing number of inactive filers has also highlighted the need to review the existing registration and return-filing framework.

The FBR may consider distinguishing regular income earners from individuals who enter the tax system solely to complete occasional financial transactions.

Officials believe that removing unnecessary filing obligations for people without taxable income could help reduce the number of inactive filers and improve the accuracy of taxpayer records.

Such a review could also make the tax system more efficient by focusing compliance efforts on individuals and businesses with actual tax obligations.