The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has extended the deadline for filing online VAT returns for the January-2026 tax period. The new decision was taken due to long government holidays on the occasion of the holy Shab-e-Barat and the 13th National Parliament elections, and server complications in the A-Challan system.

The January return can be filed in the e-VAT system until February 22. This information was given in a notification issued by the Revenue Bhaban in Agargaon on Sunday (February 15). It said that this deadline has been extended in the public interest under the powers conferred by sub-section (1A) of section 64 of the Value Added Tax and Supplementary Duty Act, 2012.

According to NBR sources, government activities were limited for a few days around the holy Shab-e-Barat and the national elections. In addition, many taxpayers could not file their returns within the stipulated time due to the downfall of the JTP server in the A-Challan system on February 15. Taking this into consideration, it was decided to extend the time to protect the interests of taxpayers.

NBR officials said that if the return is not filed within the stipulated time, there are provisions for late fees and financial penalties as per the law. As a result, the time has been extended to ensure that no taxpayer faces unnecessary fines due to server complications.

The notification said that this decision will be applicable only for the January-2026 tax period. If the return is filed online by February 22, it will be considered as filed on time and no late penalty will be applicable.