- Fee: Quotation required
- Online, anywhere in Pakistan
- Filed only after your approval
About this service
Freelancers and remote workers often earn from foreign clients through marketplaces or direct contracts, and sometimes from local clients too. The two are taxed differently, so the first job is to classify your receipts correctly.
Income from exporting services that is brought into Pakistan through banking channels may fall under a reduced tax regime, as per current FBR rules, and registration with the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) can affect the treatment for IT and IT-enabled services. Income from local clients is generally taxed under the normal rules, with tax already deducted by clients adjusted.
- Bank receipts reconciled with platform and client statements
- Export and local income reported under the right heads
- Business expenses considered where the law allows a deduction
- Wealth statement prepared so that your savings and assets match your income
Documents required
- Copy of your CNIC
- Bank statements of every account that receives your payments
- Earnings statements from platforms or payment services you use
- Bank remittance advice or proceeds realisation certificates, if available
- PSEB registration certificate, if you are registered
- Details of business expenses and of your assets and liabilities
Exact requirements depend on your case. Your officer will confirm the final list after reviewing your details.
How it works
- Complete the short online application (about 5 minutes) and upload your documents.
- A tax officer reviews your details, confirms the fee with you and tells you if anything is missing.
- We classify your income, prepare the return and wealth statement and share the draft with you.
- You review the prepared return and approve it.
- Only after your approval is it filed with FBR through the IRIS portal. We then send you the FBR acknowledgment.
Frequently asked questions
Do freelancers have to pay tax on foreign income?
Freelance income is taxable in Pakistan for residents, but export of services received through banking channels may be taxed under a reduced regime as per current FBR rules. We check which treatment applies to your receipts.
My payments come through a payment service into my bank account. How are they declared?
They are declared as your receipts for the year, supported by your bank statement and the payment service's statement. Keeping the two consistent is what protects you if FBR asks questions later.
Do I need to register a company to freelance?
No. Most freelancers file as individuals. A company or sole proprietorship can make sense as you grow — ask us and we will explain the options.
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