Lahore 22°C
Bad debts
(1) A person shall be allowed a deduction for a bad debt in a tax year if the following conditions are satisfied, namely:—
(a) the amount of the debt was –
(i) previously included in the person’s income from business chargeable to tax; or (ii) in respect of money lent by a financial institution in deriving income from business chargeable to tax;
(b) the debt or part of the debt is written off in the accounts of the person in the tax year; and (c) there are reasonable grounds for believing that the debt is irrecoverable.
(2) The amount of the deduction allowed to a person under this section for a tax year shall not exceed the amount of the debt written off in the accounts of the person in the tax year.
(3) Where a person has been allowed a deduction in a tax year for a bad debt and in a subsequent tax year the person receives in cash or kind any amount in respect of that debt, the following rules shall apply, namely:–
(a) where the amount received exceeds the difference between the whole of such bad debt and the amount previously allowed as a deduction under this section, the excess shall be included in the person’s income under the head Income from Business for the tax year in which it was received; or (b) where the amount received is less than the difference between the whole of such bad debt and the amount allowed as a deduction under this section, the shortfall shall be allowed as a bad debt deduction in computing the person’s income under the head Income from Business for the tax year in which it was received.
(a) the amount of the debt was –
(i) previously included in the person’s income from business chargeable to tax; or (ii) in respect of money lent by a financial institution in deriving income from business chargeable to tax;
(b) the debt or part of the debt is written off in the accounts of the person in the tax year; and (c) there are reasonable grounds for believing that the debt is irrecoverable.
(2) The amount of the deduction allowed to a person under this section for a tax year shall not exceed the amount of the debt written off in the accounts of the person in the tax year.
(3) Where a person has been allowed a deduction in a tax year for a bad debt and in a subsequent tax year the person receives in cash or kind any amount in respect of that debt, the following rules shall apply, namely:–
(a) where the amount received exceeds the difference between the whole of such bad debt and the amount previously allowed as a deduction under this section, the excess shall be included in the person’s income under the head Income from Business for the tax year in which it was received; or (b) where the amount received is less than the difference between the whole of such bad debt and the amount allowed as a deduction under this section, the shortfall shall be allowed as a bad debt deduction in computing the person’s income under the head Income from Business for the tax year in which it was received.
Amendment history (7)
- The words “Central Board of Revenue” substituted by the Finance Act, 2007.
- Inserted by the Finance Act, 2003.
- The words “banking company or” omitted by the Finance Act, 2009.
- Inserted by the Finance Act, 2004.
- Added by the Finance Act, 2004.
- The words “a banking company or” omitted by the Finance Act, 2009.
- The words “Non-bank Financial Institutions” substituted by the Finance Act, 2003.
Amendment notes captured from the source page(s); they may include changes to neighbouring provisions.
Source FBR PDF page 82
Unofficial reference, compiled from the FBR’s consolidated Income Tax Ordinance 2001 (amended up to 30 June 2026). Provided for general information only — not an official FBR publication and not legal or tax advice. Always verify against the official FBR text before relying on it for filing or any decision.