Income Tax Return Status Check in Pakistan by E-FBR Verification System on FBR Iris Portal or by SMS. To verify on the phone, send a message to ATL [space] 13-digit CNIC (no dashes) to 9966, which is known as Active Taxpayer List (ATL).
Important Steps to Check your Return Status
Method 1: Online FBR Iris
- Visit the FBR Iris Login Portal IRIS 2.0.
- To log in enter your Registration No (Your CNIC) and Password.
- To see your filed returns for a specific tax year, click on the Declarations or Drafts/Completed Returns tab.
- The list of active taxpayers is also available on the E-FBR ATL Search Utility.
- Active Taxpayer List(ATL) – E-FBR: After entering the CNIC and provided the captcha.
Method 2: Active Taxpayer Status by SMS
- For Individuals: They should type ATL [space] CNIC_ Number (e.g. ATL 3520112345671) and send to 9966 Active Taxpayer List (ATL).
- For AOP/Companies: Type ATL [space] 7-digit NTN and send to 9966 Active Taxpayer List (ATL)
In case of specific requirement to check Income Tax Refund Status or loss of Iris login password please inform so that I can help you retrieve the status or track the RTO (Regional Tax Office).
What Is Income Tax Return Status in Pakistan?
Income Tax Return Status is the status of the return in FBR system. It indicates if you have returned it, saved it as a draft, revised it, it is pending, or if it has not been properly reflected in IRIS.
Submitted Return in IRIS
A submitted return is when you have successfully submitted your income tax return to IRIS. The submission date should be visible, you should be able to download the return that you submitted and you should keep the PK tax return acknowledgement for your records. A submitted return is better than a screenshot as it is the actual information of the return.
Draft Return in IRIS
There is no such thing as a draft return. A lot of taxpayers complete the form, save it and believe that the return is filed. Under the circumstances, this is among the most frequently occur complaint reasons of “income tax return filed but not showing Pakistan”. If the return is still “draft”, this means that it hasn’t been “finalized” by the taxpayer.
Pending, Revised, Rejected, or Not Appearing Status
A pending status means that there is a problem with the system, profile, payment, CPR or declaration is not complete. If the tax filer corrects an omission or incorrect statement after filing the tax return, that’s a revised return. Not appearing could be a result of the wrong tax year being selected, return may not have been submitted, or issues with the taxpayer profile may not have been updated by ATL.
In case you don’t know if you’ve submitted your return correctly, please refer to a detailed FBR IRIS Login Guide and ensure you have thoroughly checked the declaration section.
Return Status vs ATL Status: What Is the Difference?
What FBR Return Status Means
FBR return status will provide you whether your income tax return for a tax year has been submitted in IRIS or not. It relates to your declaration, wealth statement, computation, CPR/payment status and acknowledgment.
What Active Taxpayer List Means
The status of ATL indicates your status as either an active taxpayer/filer or not. According to the FBR, ATL is basically an online master data of taxpayers who filed income tax returns in the previous tax year. FBR also mentions that ATL is published once a financial year on 1st March and is valid till last day of February of the next financial year and updated every Monday on the FBR website.
Why Return Filed Does Not Always Mean ATL Active
This may be because a taxpayer has already filed the return in IRIS, but remains inactive after the return. Common errors are due to failure to file the return in time, failure to pay the ATL, selecting the wrong tax year, the return remains as draft in FBR, mismatch tax return status in CNIC, NTN not active in FBR, and delay in the weekly update of ATL. Many people fail to complete their income tax returns due to the lack of understanding of how to do it. There are many people who aren’t able to finish the income tax return because they don’t know what to do.
Income Tax Return Status Check in IRIS Pakistan
1 — Log in to FBR IRIS
Log in the FBR IRIS web portal with your desired NTN, registration number or CNIC number. If you are unable to log in to IRIS, or your IRIS password is unknown, click the “Forgot Password” link. FBR claims that reset codes are provided to the registered e-mail address and cell phone number.
2 — Select the Correct Tax Year
Lots of people look for income tax return status in Pakistan, but they pick the incorrect tax year. For instance, if someone fills out Tax Year 2024, but mistakenly checks Tax Year 2025. Before assuming the FBR return is not appearing after submitting it, ensure that you have the correct tax year.
3 — Open Filed Declarations
Navigate to declaration or filed returns and find the income tax return that you’re looking for. Look and see if it is listed on submitted or on draft returns.
4 — Confirm Return Status
Check the declaration filed status, status of wealth statement, computation of wealth and CPR verification (in case of paying tax). Verify the submission status of return (confirmed, revised, draft, pending or invisible).
5 — Download Filed Return and Acknowledgment
Make sure that you download the filed return, acknowledgment, CPR/ challan and the wealth statement. For reference, a guide is provided for downloading income tax return copy if needed; it can be used internally as a supporting resource.
How to Check Filer Status by CNIC or NTN
ATL Check by CNIC for Individuals
People can use the SMS service to verify whether they are currently active taxpayers or not by sending the message ” ATL space 13-digit CNIC” via SMS to 9966, FBR says.
ATL Check by NTN for AOPs and Companies
In the case of AOPs and companies, they have indicated that the active taxpayer status could be verified by sending a SMS with the NTN of the taxpayer with space in between, to 9966.
NTN Verification and Taxpayer Profile Check
In case there is any mismatch in CNIC, NTN or the taxpayer registration number then you might have taxpayer verification problems with the FBR. Similarly, the business owners, freelancers and professionals can also require NTN verification Pakistan prior to return filing. In the case of Location Based Support, NTN Registration Services in Lahore can be a helpful service link within the organization.
Required Documents and Details for Checking Return Status
For individuals and Salaried persons ensure that you have CNIC, registered mob no, registered e-mail, password, IRIS, NTN, salary certificate, bank certificate, tax year, CPR/challan and wealth statement handy.
Other important documents for business individuals, AOPs, companies and STRN holders may be business bank statements, sales & purchase records, expenses, certificates of withholding tax, financial statements, STRN and Sales Tax Registration Number. While this article primarily concentrates on the income tax return filing status of a sales tax registered person must also ensure that they are compliant with sales tax.
Special documentation issues may arise for doctors, lawyers, foreigners (especially Pakistanis), freelancers and consultants. For such users, a guide for their profession like Income Tax Return for Overseas Pakistanis, Income Tax Return for Doctors Pakistan or Income Tax Return for Lawyers Pakistan may be more helpful.
Why Your Income Tax Return Is Not Showing in FBR
Return Still Saved as Draft
If IRIS indicates a ‘Draft’ in the return, the return will not be filed. Return had to be reopened, missing sections completed and return had to be properly submitted.
Wrong Tax Year Selected
It’s a very frequent mistake. Don’t assume that IRIS return status is not showing; first check the status of tax returns in Pakistan.
Wealth Statement Not Reconciled
If there is an error reconciling the wealth statement, processing will be delayed. The taxpayer must be certain that the following is logically reconciling; opening wealth, closing wealth, assets, liabilities, expenses, gifts and income.
CPR or Tax Payment Not Reflected
If the tax is payable, check if the CPR was created and/or attached for the right tax year and payment head. Before submitting/revising a return please review the details of FBR before checking if it is not reflected in IRIS.
CNIC, NTN, or IRIS Profile Issue
The online verification by FBR may be impacted by a wrong taxpayer profile, mismatching particulars, non-activation of NTN, and mismatch of CNIC. FBR also offers assistance to modify personal details in IRIS.
Common IRIS Errors and Their Solutions
| Common Error | Likely Reason | Practical Solution |
|---|---|---|
| IRIS login not working Pakistan | Wrong password or expired credentials | Reset password through registered mobile/email |
| IRIS portal not opening | Browser, cache, or server issue | Clear cache, change browser, retry later |
| IRIS captcha not working | Session or browser problem | Refresh session and avoid auto-fill tools |
| IRIS return submission failed | Incomplete form or system issue | Recheck required fields and submit again |
| IRIS wealth statement error | Assets/liabilities mismatch | Correct opening and closing wealth |
| CPR not attached in income tax return | Payment not linked | Verify PSID, CPR, tax year, and payment nature |
| Unable to download filed return from IRIS | Browser/session issue | Clear cache, log in again, and check filed declarations |
Filed Return but ATL Status Inactive: What to Do
First of all, see if the return was submitted by the due date. Late filing may impact on the inclusion of ATL. The surcharge for late filing is Rs. and late filers can be added to ATL after paying such surcharge, says FBR. 25,000 for individuals, Rs. 50,000 for AOPs, and Rs. 100,000 for companies.
Secondly, determine if the ATL update cycle has expired. When filing a return just prior to the FBR’s update, it may take some time for the return to show up in ATL.
Thirdly, check CNIC/NTN, tax year, making of tax returns and taxpayer profile. If the problem persists contact FBR or seek professional advice. Tax Consultant Lahore and Our Tax Consultancy Services can be used naturally as the inbound links of the services.
Fees, ATL Surcharge, Penalties, and Expected Costs
It is not a professional-fee activity to check on an official online system either FBR return status, ATL status or NTN status. However, the cost may be incurred if taxpayer is required to file a return, submit it for revision, pay the ATL surcharge, reply to a notice of assessment, obtain representation at an assessment and/or appeal.
ATL surcharge may be applicable to late filers (as described above). Furthermore, a penalty of 0.1% of the tax payable for each day of default (maximum and minimum limits) may be imposed in case failure to make a return under section 114 occurs on or before the due date, says FBR’s Section 182 page.
Tax consultant/lawyer fees are generally based on the complexity of the tax situation. Unlike an FBR notice reply, amended assessment, tax audit, Commissioner Inland Revenue proceedings, and Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue appeal, the simple income tax return status check service Pakistan is easy to use and can be accessed at times when you need it.
Legal References Under Pakistani Tax Law
Main legal instruments are the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001. On FBR’s legal resource page, the Income Tax Ordinance 2001 (amended up to 20 February 2026) has been listed.
Important references include:
- Section 114 — income tax return filing
- Section 116 — wealth statement
- Section 122 — amended assessment
- Section 182 — offences and penalties
- Section 182A — ATL surcharge
The Commissioner Inland Revenue has issued a Commissioner Inland Revenue notice, assessment order, penalty order or audit notice to a taxpayer, the issue is no longer a return status issue. It turns into a tax compliance and legal answer work. Typically, 30 days from the date of the notice of demand issued by the Commissioner regarding an assessment, penalty or any other order is the time period to file an appeal with the Commissioner Appeals, according to FBR.
Practical Examples From Real Taxpayer Situations
Salaried Person Filed Return but ATL Is Inactive
A taxpayer who is paid on a salary basis will file after the time and verify on filer status the following day. The return may be made but ATL will not be able to be active until the weekly update and until the payment of the surcharge.
Business Individual’s Return Showing Draft
Finally, the business owner fills out the return form, and forgets to submit it. IRIS is returned in draft mode and therefore, there is no generation of confirmation for return of IRIS to FBR.
Tax Paid but CPR Not Attached
A taxpayer submits a PSID and selects the incorrect tax year and/or payment type. The CPR is available, but can’t help the desired return, unless it is verified and connected.
FBR Notice After Filing Return
The Commissioner Inland Revenue issues a notice to a taxpayer for one of several reasons: bank credits or assets information doesn’t match the information on the filed tax returns; property records don’t match; withholding information doesn’t match. If this is the case, be sure not to ignore the notice. Go through the return and wealth statements, documents and respond within the deadline.
When Should You Revise Your Income Tax Return?
If any of the income, tax deduction, assets, liabilities, wealth statement, CPR or tax year reported is incorrect, you may need to revise it. According to FBR, if an income tax return has been filed and later a statement or an omission is found it may be revised within five years from the date it was originally filed and an application needs to be made in IRIS.
In case of users who are suffering from this problem, link How to Revise Income Tax Return Pakistan as an in-depth guide within the system. Plus, a extra web page titled Income Tax Return Mistakes to Avoid will help taxpayers avoid making incorrect statements earlier of filing.
When Do You Need a Tax Consultant or Tax Lawyer?
As asserted by Advocate Shahid (Tax Audit Lawyer & Advisor in Lahore). The Simple tasks like checking ATL status, downloading a return after it has been filed, resetting an IRIS password and verifying NTN may not require a lawyer.
When any FBR notice is issued after the return is filed, there is an issue under Section 111 in unexplained income, a tax audit notice is issued, an amended assessment income tax is issued, a penalty order, an FBR Commissioner Appeals matter or Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue appeal, it is recommended to take professional assistance.
An FBR return issue tax lawyer can view your IRIS record, tax year, whether you have a notice or not, your NTN/CNIC status, your CPR and your wealth statement before recommending the best legal approach.
Official FBR Portal and Contact Guidance
Return filing, return status check, wealth statement, revision application, notice reply and refund application are all done using the FBR IRIS. Active taxpayer, CNIC/NTN verification and filer (ATL) status use ATL tools.
FBR lists its helpline as +92 51 111 772 772, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., and email helpline@fbr.gov.pk.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Please note that you cannot mix up ATL status with return status and do not presume that a draft return is made. Please do not use the incorrect tax year. Don’t neglect to correct wealth statement errors. Please don’t use only screenshots. Never presume that you have received FBR Notices. Always download the return, acknowledgment, CPR and the wealth statement.
Most important of all, don’t submit a hasty or wrong return and end up being a filer. The possibility of a wrong return later being an issue in audit, assessment, penalty and/or appeals procedures.
FAQs About Income Tax Return Status Check Pakistan
How can I check my income tax return status in Pakistan?
Log in to FBR IRIS, Open filed declarations, Tax year, and make sure that the return is submitted, draft, revised or pending.
Can I check FBR return status by CNIC?
ATL/filer status can be verified on the basis of CNIC but the status of any income tax return will require IRIS login.
What is the difference between return status and ATL status?
Looking at return status, it will tell you if you’ve returned your student. The Active Taxpayer List (ATL) status indicates whether or not you are on the list.
Why is my ATL status inactive after filing return?
These are generally due to late filing, failure to pay the ATL surcharge, tax year mismatch, failure to update the ATL or mismatching the CNIC/NTN.
How long does ATL take to update after filing return?
According to FBR website, the website is updated weekly on Mondays with the release of the ATL.
What should I do if my return is filed but not showing?
Review the tax year, submission, acknowledgment, wealth statement, CPR and IRIS profile. If this doesn’t resolve the problem, call FBR or talk to a tax expert.
Can I revise my income tax return after submission?
Yes. FBR notes that if a return is not required to be made within five years then the return can be revised in accordance with IRIS.
Do I need a tax lawyer for FBR return status issues?
Generally, No, for simple status checks. In the cases of wrong declaration and/or amended assessment as well as Penalty, Audits and Appeals etc., professional help by tax lawyers is recommended for FBR notices.
Conclusion
Income Tax Return Status Check Pakistan isn’t only regarding the appearance of your return in IRIS. A complete check comprises of the status of IRIS, status of ATL/filer, verification of NTN/CNIC, wealth statement, status of CPR/payment record and any notice/compliance issued by FBR.
If you return an item and ATL is in effect, please be sure to save your acknowledgment. If your return is in draft, there are no records of CPR or a notice has been issued, take care of the problem before it becomes a larger tax dispute.
