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The Federal Tax Ombudsman has directed the Federal Board of Revenue to clear the entire backlog of tax return extension applications within three days, after revealing that the delay in processing taxpayer requests amounts to maladministration. The order highlights a growing concern among filers who submitted extensions on time but remained uninformed due to FBR’s slow response.
The issue stems from a series of complaints filed by taxpayers who used the IRIS portal to request more time for filing their annual income tax returns for tax year 2025. Many of these applications, despite being submitted within the deadline, stayed stuck in the system’s outbox without any decision. This situation created confusion and inconvenience for filers, prompting the complainant to approach the FTO for intervention.
In its written order, the FTO stated that the
“delay in communicating decisions on extension applications constitutes maladministration under section 2(3)(ii) of the FTO Ordinance, 2000.”
The ombudsman instructed the Member IR (Operations) to ensure that commissioners across all field formations immediately process the pending requests and provide reasonable time to taxpayers who were notified of their extensions after the extended deadline had already passed.
A complainant quoted in the record said the inaction
“caused procedural injustice and undermined taxpayers’ legal rights,” adding that the system’s non-responsiveness made it difficult for filers to comply despite meeting requirements.
The FTO observed that even after its intervention, many taxpayers received approval notices two days after the expiry of the extended date, further complicating compliance.
Officials familiar with the matter say the fresh directive aims to restore confidence in digital tax systems and ensure that taxpayers are not penalized due to administrative lapses. The move also signals stricter oversight of delays that disrupt filing timelines and weaken trust in the country’s tax administration.
