Written by The Banking Post
A newly launched online portal for extending income tax return deadlines is rapidly gaining popularity, as taxpayers rush to meet the March 31 cutoff without visiting tax offices.
Introduced by the National Board of Revenue, the system allows users to apply for extensions through the e-Return platform, offering a faster and more transparent alternative to manual processes.
More than 5,000 taxpayers have already applied for deadline extensions online in recent days, with most requests approved quickly, according to official data.
The shift comes as digital tax filing expands across the country. Over 5 million taxpayers have registered on the e-Return system, and more than 4.15 million have already submitted their returns online for the current tax year.
For the 2025–26 fiscal year, online filing has been made mandatory for individual taxpayers, with limited exceptions.
Under existing rules, taxpayers can apply for up to a 90-day extension before the March 31 deadline. Once approved, returns can be submitted within the extended period without incurring penalties or additional tax.
Officials say the new system is designed to simplify compliance and reduce last-minute pressure. Taxpayers who have not yet filed are encouraged to either submit returns or apply for extensions within the deadline to avoid penalties.
Those not yet registered must first sign up on the platform using a biometric SIM in their own name before accessing the service.
