Banks to stay open till 10pm today for taxpayers

September 30, 2026 (MLN): All commercial bank branches will remain open until 10:00pm on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, to facilitate taxpayers in making over-the-counter payments of government duties and taxes.

The decision has been taken on the request of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), aimed at providing taxpayers additional time to deposit their outstanding government duties and taxes through bank counters before the close of the tax filing and payment deadline.

The extended banking hours will allow taxpayers who have yet to complete their tax-related payments to do so on the final day of the deadline, reducing the risk of delays caused by the closure of bank branches during normal business hours.

The arrangement is particularly relevant for taxpayers who need to make payments against their tax liabilities through over-the-counter banking channels and require proof of payment for completion of their tax obligations.

September 30 tax deadline

The extended banking hours come as the September 30 deadline approaches for taxpayers to fulfill their income tax filing requirements.

According to FBR sources, taxpayers who fail to file their income tax returns by September 30 will face significantly higher penalties from October 1, as the revenue authority moves to discontinue the late-filer category.

Under the revised regime, taxpayers missing the September 30 deadline will be treated as non-filers from October 1 and will become subject to the higher penalties applicable to non-compliant taxpayers.

Individuals failing to file their income tax returns will face a penalty of up to PKR25,000, compared with the existing penalty of PKR1,000.

For associations of persons (AOPs), the penalty will increase to PKR50,000 from PKR10,000, while companies failing to file their returns will face a penalty of PKR100,000, up from the existing PKR20,000, according to the sources.

The change means taxpayers submitting their returns after September 30 will no longer benefit from the lower penalty applicable to late filers.

Businesses also face compliance deadline

The September 30 deadline also applies to businesses required to complete their sales tax and income tax registration, according to FBR sources.

The revenue authority has been urging individuals and businesses to complete their registration, filing and payment obligations before the deadline to avoid higher financial consequences from October 1.

The move forms part of the government's broader efforts to improve tax compliance and expand the country's formal tax base by encouraging individuals and businesses to meet their tax obligations within the prescribed timelines.

Separate penalties under Asan Tax Scheme

Taxpayers covered under the government's Asan Tax Scheme will face a separate graduated penalty structure if they fail to submit their returns within the prescribed period, according to FBR sources.

Under the structure, taxpayers filing their returns during the first month after the deadline will face a PKR10,000 penalty.

The penalty will increase to PKR25,000 for returns filed during the second month following the deadline and will rise further to PKR50,000 for taxpayers filing during the third month.

The graduated penalties are intended to encourage taxpayers to complete their filing obligations promptly rather than defer compliance beyond the prescribed deadline.

With the September 30 deadline now at hand, the extension of commercial bank branch timings until 10:00pm is expected to provide taxpayers additional time to make over-the-counter payments of government duties and taxes.

Taxpayers yet to complete their filing and payment requirements can therefore use the extended banking hours on September 30 to fulfill their outstanding obligations before the applicable penalties increase from October 1.

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