How to renew your company’s registration in Pakistan

Introduction

Registering a company in Pakistan is only the first step toward operating as a compliant and recognized business entity. To remain in good standing with regulatory authorities such as the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), companies must meet several annual compliance obligations. These obligations are commonly referred to as renewal requirements, even though there is no formal re-registration process each year.

This comprehensive 2025 guide explains how to renew your company’s registration status in Pakistan by fulfilling SECP, FBR, and provincial filing requirements, maintaining Active Taxpayer List (ATL) status, and avoiding penalties or dissolution.

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Table of Contents

1. What Does “Renewal” Mean in Pakistan?

2. Key Authorities Involved

3. SECP Annual Return Filing (Form A/B)

4. Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (Form 45)

5. FBR Tax Return and ATL Maintenance

6. Sales Tax Return (STRN Renewal)

7. Provincial Sales Tax Filing (PRA/SRB/KPRA/BRA)

8. EOBI, PESSI, and Labor Department Compliance

9. Restoring Dormant or Inactive Companies

10. Common Mistakes to Avoid

11. Penalties for Non-Compliance

12. How Sterling.pk Can Help

13. FAQs

14. Conclusion

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1. What Does “Renewal” Mean in Pakistan?

In Pakistan, company registration is perpetual, meaning once registered with SECP, the entity remains active unless:

• Voluntarily wound up

• Dissolved by SECP

• Struck off for non-compliance

However, companies must regularly fulfill compliance filings to maintain this active status—thus referred to as “renewing” the registration informally.

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2. Key Authorities Involved

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3. SECP Annual Return Filing (Form A/B)

What is it?

Companies registered in Pakistan must file Form A or Form B annually to update their corporate record with SECP.

How to File:

1. Log in to SECP eServices

2. Navigate to “Annual Return Filing”

3. Fill in or upload details

4. Pay filing fee (Rs. 1,500–Rs. 5,000)

5. Submit electronically

Deadline:

• Within 30 days of the AGM

• For non-AGM companies, within 30 days of incorporation anniversary

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4. Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) – Form 45

All companies are required to disclose beneficial ownership (any person who owns 25% or more shares or control) via Form 45.

Requirements:

• Must be filed annually or whenever a change occurs

• Required for AML/CFT compliance

• Filed through SECP eServices

Penalty for non-filing: Up to Rs. 1 million

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5. FBR Tax Return and ATL Maintenance

Why It Matters:

Your company must file an annual income tax return to remain on FBR’s Active Taxpayer List (ATL). ATL status offers:

✅ Lower withholding tax (WHT) rates
✅ Eligibility for government contracts
✅ Tax refunds and input tax adjustments
✅ Improved banking credibility

How to Renew:

1. Visit FBR IRIS Portal

2. File:

   • Income Tax Return

   • Withholding Statements (if applicable)

   • Wealth Statement (for directors/SMCs)

Deadlines:

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6. Sales Tax Registration (STRN) – Status and Renewal

There is no annual STRN renewal form, but status must remain Active by:

• Filing monthly sales tax returns

• Avoiding default status (non-filing for 3+ months)

• Updating business activity codes (PSIC) via Form 181

Where to Check:

• Visit https://e.fbr.gov.pk

• Use “Taxpayer Profile Inquiry” to verify NTN and STRN

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7. Provincial Sales Tax Compliance

If your company provides services, you must be registered and compliant with provincial tax authorities:

Renewal Practice:

• File returns every month (even Nil)

• Update registration in case of address/ownership changes

• Avoid suspension for non-filing

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8. EOBI, PESSI, and Labor Department Compliance

Companies employing staff must maintain compliance with:

A. EOBI (Employees’ Old Age Benefits Institution)

• Monthly contributions for all registered employees

• Filing via EOBI portal and bank submission

B. PESSI (Punjab Employees Social Security Institution)

• Monthly return and contribution

• Portal: https://pessi.punjab.gov.pk

C. Labor Department (Shops Act Registration)

• Renewal every 1–3 years based on local authority rules

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9. How to Reinstate an Inactive or Struck-off Company

If your company is marked inactive, struck-off, or non-compliant:

Step-by-Step Recovery:

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10. Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Not filing SECP annual returns or Form 45
❌ Assuming tax return filing alone ensures ATL status
❌ Ignoring monthly Nil sales tax filings
❌ Not updating contact or ownership info on SECP/FBR portals
❌ Using incorrect business codes or bank details

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11. Penalties for Non-Compliance

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12. How Sterling.pk Helps with Renewals

At Sterling.pk, we offer full-service annual compliance packages including:

✅ SECP Form A/B and Form 45 filing
✅ FBR tax return, wealth statement, ATL maintenance
✅ Monthly sales tax return filing (FBR + PRA/SRB)
✅ EOBI, PESSI, Labor Department registration renewal
✅ Advisory for avoiding penalties
✅ Compliance calendar and auto-reminder setup

We ensure you stay legally compliant, tax-efficient, and confident in front of banks, investors, and regulators.

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13. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Do I need to renew company registration every year in Pakistan?
No, but you must file annual compliance documents like SECP returns and FBR filings to remain active.

Q2: What happens if I skip SECP Form A/B filing?
You’ll incur late fees, and SECP may list your company as inactive or struck-off.

Q3: Can I restore my company after being struck off?
Yes, through SECP’s revival process—filing past returns and penalties.

Q4: Do freelancers or SMCs need to file Form A?
Yes, even Single Member Companies must file Form B and maintain tax compliance.

Q5: How much does it cost to renew company compliance annually?
Costs vary based on services, but typical filings may range from Rs. 10,000–50,000+ with advisory support.

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Conclusion

While there is no formal “company renewal” process in Pakistan, staying compliant with SECP, FBR, and provincial tax authorities is essential to keep your company active and penalty-free. Filing annual returns, updating beneficial ownership, paying taxes, and submitting monthly sales tax forms is what keeps your business alive in the eyes of the law.

Let Sterling.pk handle your complete renewal and compliance workload, so you can focus on growing your business with confidence and clarity.