Filer vs Non-Filer: How Much Tax Do You Pay on a Prize Bond Win?

Every prize bond win in Pakistan has withholding tax deducted before you are paid — but how much depends on one thing: whether you are on FBR’s Active Taxpayers List (a “filer”) or not (a “non-filer”).

What “filer” actually means

A filer is someone who has filed their income tax return and appears on FBR’s Active Taxpayers List (ATL) at the time the prize is paid. It has nothing to do with how the bond was purchased — it is about your own tax status when you go to encash the prize.

The tax rates

Prize bond winnings are currently taxed at 15% for filers and 30% for non-filers — meaning a filer keeps 85% of the gross prize, and a non-filer keeps 70%. On a large prize the difference is substantial: on a Rs. 1,000,000 second prize, for example, that is roughly Rs. 150,000 more in your pocket as a filer.

Use the Prize Money Calculator to see the exact filer and non-filer amount for any denomination, prize tier, or custom amount.

Is it worth becoming a filer before claiming a prize?

If you are not yet a filer and expect to win — or have already won — a meaningful prize, becoming an active taxpayer before you encash it can be worth considering, given the tax saving is usually far larger than the cost or effort of filing a return. This is a decision worth discussing with a tax consultant, since your overall tax position (not just this one prize) is what actually matters.