Deadline for Online VAT Return Submission Extended

National Board of Revenue (NBR) has extended the deadline for submitting online VAT returns through its e-VAT system until 22 February 2026, citing public interest and recent technical disruptions.

In an official order, the revenue authority said the extension was necessitated by a series of government holidays around Shab-e-Barat and the national election, which disrupted normal business operations and compliance activities. It also noted that on 15 February the OTP server of the e-Challan system went offline, preventing many taxpayers from completing their submissions on time.

Considering these challenges, the NBR invoked its authority under Section 64(1A) of the Value Added Tax and Supplementary Duty Act, 2012, to grant additional time for filing returns.

The move is intended to ensure that businesses and VAT-registered entities are not penalised for delays caused by circumstances beyond their control. Many taxpayers had reported difficulties accessing the system and generating required documents, particularly in the final days before the original deadline, due to the server outage.

The NBR urged all VAT-registered entities to make proper use of the extended deadline and submit their January 2026 returns within the revised timeframe to avoid penalties and remain compliant with tax laws.

It also assured taxpayers that steps are being taken to enhance system stability and prevent similar technical issues in the future.

The e-VAT platform remains a central element of the government’s drive to modernise tax administration and strengthen transparency in revenue collection.