Stock market investors in Pakistan — whether trading shares on PSX or receiving dividends — must declare all investment income in their annual tax return. FBR taxes capital gains on short-term trades and dividend income at source. This guide covers every rate, rule, and filing step for 2026.

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on Listed Securities — 2026 Rates

CGT on shares listed on Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) is collected by NCCPL at the time of sale. Rates depend on how long you held the shares:

Holding PeriodCGT Rate (Filer)CGT Rate (Non-Filer)
Less than 12 months15%20%
12 to 24 months12.5%20%
More than 24 months0% (Exempt)0% (Exempt)

Key point: NCCPL deducts CGT automatically when you sell. The tax deducted appears in your IRIS profile and can be claimed as advance tax credit in your annual return.

Dividend Income Tax — 2026 Rates

Dividend income from Pakistani companies is subject to withholding tax at source. The company paying the dividend deducts tax before you receive it:

Investor StatusWHT RateTax Treatment
Active Filer15%Final tax — no further liability
Non-Filer30%Final tax — but higher cost
Mutual Fund dividend15%Final tax on stock fund distributions

Since dividend tax is "final," you do not add dividend income on top of your salary or business income for tax calculation. However, you must still declare it in your return.

How to Declare Stock Market Investments in Tax Return

Filing your return as a PSX investor involves four key declarations:

What to DeclareWhere in IRISDetails Required
Share portfolio valueWealth Statement → InvestmentsMarket value as of June 30
Capital gains (short-term)Income from Capital GainsTotal gains from NCCPL statement
Dividend income receivedIncome from Other SourcesTotal dividends (gross amount)
CGT already deducted by NCCPLAdvance Tax PaidClaim as tax credit

Where to Get Your Tax Data

Wealth Statement — What to Include

Even if you have no taxable gains, your share portfolio must appear in your wealth statement every year:

Reconciliation tip: Wealth growth = Total income – Total expenditure. If you bought Rs. 5 lakh in shares from salary, your wealth statement must show that salary was the source. Mismatch triggers FBR notice under Section 111.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I hold shares and do not sell, do I pay CGT?
No. CGT applies only when you sell shares. However, you must still include the current market value in your wealth statement every June 30, and any dividends received are taxable when paid.
I am a non-filer. What tax do I pay on share sales?
Non-filers pay 20% CGT on both short-term and medium-term gains (vs 15%/12.5% for filers). Becoming an active filer before June 30 saves you this extra cost and qualifies you for the exempt long-term rate on 24+ month holdings.
Are gains from mutual funds taxable?
Capital gains from equity mutual funds follow the same PSX CGT rules. Dividend distributions from stock funds are subject to 15% final WHT (filer). However, money market fund income is treated differently — consult a tax advisor for your specific fund type.
What if I forgot to file for past years when I had share income?
You can file late returns for up to five previous years. FBR may impose a late filing penalty (Rs. 1,000/month or 0.1% of tax, whichever is higher), but filing late is always better than not filing. Kamboh Associates handles past-year returns regularly.

Stock Market Tax Filing — Done Right

NCCPL statements, CGT credits, wealth reconciliation — we handle it all. WhatsApp us now.

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