Glitch bars new resident taxpayers

With the income-tax filing deadline due to expire next Saturday, Pakistanis who have returned after periods of non-residence are unable to enter the correct opening wealth figure for tax year 2026. The Express Tribune reported that the IRIS portal carries forward an earlier wealth balance into a locked field, even though no wealth statements were required during the intervening non-resident years.

The Karachi Tax Bar Association has asked the Federal Board of Revenue to change the portal’s validation so returning residents can report an appropriate opening balance and reconcile their wealth for the year. The association says the current restriction could create legal difficulties. Separately, uncertainty at the FBR follows the rejection of a proposal for a new tax agency or outsourcing, and the suspension of two officers and transfer of seven others over suspected links to a proposed pen-down strike. The association had withdrawn its strike deadline after receiving assurances against adverse action.