Written by The Banking Post
The revenue authority has extended the deadline for submitting online VAT returns for January 2026 until February 22, citing public interest and technical disruptions.
In an official order, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) said the extension applies to returns filed through its e-VAT system.
The move follows a series of government holidays around Shab-e-Barat and the recent national election, which disrupted business operations and compliance activities. Taxpayers also faced difficulties on February 15 after the OTP server of the e-Challan system went down, preventing many from completing their submissions on time.
Invoking its authority under Section 64 (1A) of the Value Added Tax and Supplementary Duty Act, 2012, the NBR granted additional time to ensure that VAT-registered entities are not penalised for delays beyond their control.
Many businesses had reported problems accessing the system and generating required documents, particularly in the final days before the original deadline.
The tax authority urged all registered entities to file their returns within the extended timeframe to avoid penalties and remain compliant. It also said steps are being taken to stabilise the system and prevent similar technical disruptions in the future.
The e-VAT platform is a central part of the government’s push to modernise tax administration and strengthen transparency in revenue collection.
