The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has launched a major enforcement drive against doctors over tax evasion and under-reporting of income.
According to FBR data, more than 73,000 doctors in Pakistan did not file income tax returns in 2025. Officials called the figures alarming and said it points to serious compliance issues in the medical sector.
Out of 130,243 registered doctors nationwide, only 56,287 filed tax returns this year. This means over half of the country’s high-earning medical practitioners failed to declare any income, despite working in busy private practices.
The FBR also found inconsistencies between reported incomes and actual business activity. About 31,870 doctors declared zero income from private practice, while 307 claimed losses despite serving full patient loads in major cities. Only 24,137 doctors reported any business earnings.
Even among those filing returns, taxes remain disproportionately low. Doctors earning over Rs. 1 million per year paid an average of Rs. 1,894 per day. Those earning Rs. 1–5 million paid Rs. 1,094 daily, while doctors in the Rs. 5–10 million bracket paid Rs. 1,594 per day. High-earning doctors above Rs. 10 million paid an average of only Rs. 5,500 daily.
Many doctors charging Rs. 2,000–10,000 per patient declare tax payments lower than a single consultation fee. Meanwhile, 31,524 doctors reported zero receipts but claimed Rs. 1.3 billion in tax refunds collectively.
Officials highlighted the gap between visible clinic activity and reported earnings. In comparison, salaried government officers often pay more taxes monthly than many high-earning doctors contribute in an entire quarter.
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The FBR stressed that tax compliance among doctors and other high-earning professionals can no longer be optional. Authorities warned that strict penalties would follow for those failing to declare income fully.
