{
  "id": 7237316,
  "title": "FBR Finally Allows Installment Payments of PTA Tax on Imported Phones",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/fbr-finally-allows-installment-payments-of-pta-tax-on-imported-phones",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-14T03:42:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ProPakistani",
    "slug": "propakistani",
    "url": "https://propakistani.pk/2026/09/14/fbr-finally-allows-instalment-payments-of-pta-tax-on-imported-phones/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Following a two-month delay, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has now permitted individuals to pay taxes on imported mobile phones through installments, according to the latest update from ProPakistani. The new payment option, outlined in FBR Circular No. 1 of 2026, is activated via the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s DIRBS system. The PTA must yet launch the installment payment mechanism.\n\nThe installment tax arrangement was introduced through amendments made in the Finance Act, 2026, and is governed by the Ninth Schedule of the Sales Tax Act, 1990. Under this arrangement, taxpayers can divide their tax obligation into multiple payments rather than paying the total amount upfront. Crucially, all installments must be settled before the end of the financial year in which the mobile phone was imported.\n\nPakistan launched the DIRBS system in December 2018 to track unregistered mobile phones and block devices that did not meet tax and registration criteria. This led to the withdrawal of the duty-free allowance for mobile phones purchased by travelers from July 2019. Since then, imported devices have required the payment of applicable duties and taxes before they can be registered on local networks, thereby shifting the tax burden onto consumers bringing phones into Pakistan.",
  "summary": "More than two months after the government announced an installment facility for PTA taxes on mobile phones, the Federal Board … Read More The post FBR Finally Allows Installment Payments of PTA Tax on Imported Phones appeared first on ProPakistani .",
  "key_points": [
    "FBR permits installment payments for PTA tax on imported phones.",
    "Tax arrangement introduced via Finance Act 2026 amendments.",
    "Installments must be settled by year-end of import."
  ],
  "editors_take": "This development eases the tax burden on individuals importing mobile phones, allowing them to spread payments over multiple installments rather than paying the full amount upfront.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}