Freelancer Tax Filing Checklist Pakistan (TY 2025-26)
Freelancer filing splits into two paths: PSEB-registered (0.25% final tax on export receipts) and non-PSEB (foreign receipts fold into business income at slab rates). Get PSEB status verified BEFORE 15 September - a lapsed registration costs 10-20x more tax.
PSEB status
- PSEB registration certificate valid for tax yearRequired
Verify at pseb.org.pk. Lapsed = normal slab rates apply to all export receipts.
- PSEB renewal receipt (if renewed this year)
Registration valid dates matter - not the renewal date.
Client + payment documents
- Bank PRCs for every foreign remittanceRequired
Proceeds Realization Certificate. One per inflow. Essential for Section 111(4) exemption + Section 154A.
- Client invoices + payment records
For business income computation on non-export receipts.
- Section 153 WHT certificates from corporate Pakistani clients
Companies must deduct 10% on services above threshold. Adjustable.
- PayPal / Payoneer / Wise annual statement
For USD-PKR conversion cross-check with PRC.
Business expenses
- Laptop / equipment purchase receipts
Depreciable asset - claim depreciation not full cost.
- Rent for home office (proportional)
Only the working area proportion is deductible.
- Internet + electricity (proportional if home office)
- Software subscriptions + tools
- Marketing + freelance platform fees
- Bank fees + wire charges
Personal identity
- CNIC (13 digits)Required
- IRIS login credentialsRequired
- PMD-registered mobile SIMRequired
- Business bank account IBAN
For refund credit + IRIS profile.
Wealth statement
- Prior year Form 116 closing figureRequired
- Cash + all bank balances at 30 JuneRequired
- Property (FBR notified value), gold, vehicles
- PSX shares + mutual funds NAV at 30 June
- Foreign accounts + assets in PKR equivalent
Personal expenses (line 7087 / 7089)
- Full annual household expensesRequired
Freelancers underreport more than salaried filers - the reconciliation gap on line 703000 is a common freelancer audit trigger.