Confusion Among Taxpayers as Telecom Companies Send Wrong SMS Alerts, Says FBR

A fresh wave of incorrect tax reminders has left many taxpayers puzzled after telecom companies mistakenly dispatched SMS alerts urging individuals to file their income tax returns, despite the deadline having already passed. According to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the messages were sent without its authorization.

In a statement issued on Monday, the FBR confirmed receiving numerous complaints from citizens who reported receiving messages asking them to file their returns for Tax Year 2025 before the 30 September deadline. Officials noted that the deadline had already expired, creating unnecessary confusion for recipients.

The tax authority clarified that each year it formally requests the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to send customized filing reminders to taxpayers. For 2025, the FBR made its request on 15 September, and all authorized messages were dispatched before the due date.

However, the new round of SMS alerts did not originate from the FBR. Initial inquiries revealed that the telecom operators had triggered the outdated reminders inadvertently. PTA later informed the FBR that a technical glitch on the operators’ systems was responsible for the erroneous transmission.

The FBR has asked PTA to coordinate with the relevant telecom companies to identify and resolve the issue promptly. It reiterated that it remains committed to facilitating taxpayers and ensuring that all official communication is accurate and timely.

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