FBR Salary Tax Collection 2026 Falls 6% in 11 Months

FBR – (Web Desk) – FBR salary tax collection 2026 has dropped by around 6 percent during the first eleven months of fiscal year 2025-26. The total collected from July to May stands at Rs518.48 billion, down from roughly Rs555 billion in the same period last year.

This decline is happening at a sensitive time. Many Pakistanis are already struggling with high inflation and rising daily expenses. People have been demanding lower income tax rates, but the latest numbers suggest the government may not offer much relief in the upcoming Budget 2026-27.

Despite this slowdown, FBR had seen strong growth in salary tax in recent years. The full year 2024-25 brought in Rs605.59 billion. Before that, collections grew steadily from Rs152 billion in 2020-21, then Rs196.25 billion, Rs276 billion, and Rs391 billion in the following years.

Tax experts say several factors may explain the current dip. These include changes in employment levels, shifts in income ranges, and overall economic pressure on working Pakistanis.

The salaried class remains one of the most taxed groups in Pakistan. While revenue needs are real, many workers feel the burden is unfair compared to other sectors that contribute far less to the national tax pool.