NTN Number Check Online Pakistan 2026-27 — How to Verify on FBR IRIS
An NTN number check online in Pakistan is now very easy. Whether you want to verify your own record, check a business's NTN, or find out whether you are a filer — all of this can be done on the FBR's IRIS portal without logging in. This guide covers every way to check NTN and ATL status — step by step.
1. What Is an NTN Number?
NTN means National Tax Number — your tax identity with the FBR. The number used as the User ID to log in to IRIS is what the FBR calls the “Registration Number”.
Important: according to the FBR's IRIS FAQs, for Pakistani individuals this is the 13-digit CNIC/NICOP (without dashes), and for non-Pakistani individuals, AOPs and companies it is the 7-digit NTN (without the dash and check digit).
2. Ways to Check NTN and ATL Status
The “Online Verification Portal” link on the FBR website goes straight to the verifications section of IRIS. Which method is for what:
| Method | What you get | Login? |
|---|---|---|
| Taxpayer Profile Inquiry | Registration details | No |
| ATL (Income Tax) verification | Active taxpayer status | No |
| SMS 9966 | ATL status | No |
| IRIS login | Your own full record | Yes |
3. How to Check an NTN on IRIS (Without Logging In)
This is the easiest and fastest method:
- Open the IRIS portal: iris.fbr.gov.pk — look for the “Online Verifications” section.
- Choose “Taxpayer Profile Inquiry”: according to the portal, this is to “Check Taxpayer Profile using NTN/CNIC/Reg. Inc. No. etc.”
- Choose the parameter type: NTN, CNIC, Passport No., Reg/Inc. No. or Registration No., and enter the number.
- Fill in the captcha and press “Verify”.
- See the result: the registration details appear on screen. For filer status, use the “Active Taxpayer List (Income Tax)” verification in the same list.
4. Checking ATL Status by SMS
According to the FBR website, ATL status can also be checked by SMS:
SMS Commands (9966)
- Individual: Type
ATL [space] 13-digit CNIC→ Send to 9966 - AOP / Company: Type
ATL [space] 7-digit NTN→ Send to 9966 - AJK individual: Type
AJKATL [space] CNIC(without dashes) → Send to 9966
This SMS only tells you ATL status. The FBR has not listed any separate SMS command for finding an NTN — for the NTN, use the IRIS method above.
5. Logging In to IRIS to See Your Own Record
- Open the IRIS portal: iris.fbr.gov.pk
- Log in: enter your “CNIC/NTN” and password in the login box.
- NTN certificate: after logging in to IRIS 2.0, there is an option to print the “NTN Certificate”.
Note: only registered taxpayers get an NTN certificate. If you have not registered yet, register on IRIS first. See the registration guide here.
6. Forgot Your NTN or IRIS Login? How to Recover It
| Situation | Solution |
|---|---|
| Pakistani individual | Your 13-digit CNIC is your User ID |
| Cannot remember a company/AOP NTN | Look it up in Taxpayer Profile Inquiry using the Reg/Inc. No. or Registration No. (there is no search by name) |
| Forgot your IRIS password | “Forgot Password” — a 6-digit code is sent to both your registered mobile and email |
| No access to your mobile or email | “Account Recovery” — through a mobile registered on your CNIC; if that fails, the FBR helpline 051 111 772 772 |
The steps for both routes are in our IRIS password reset guide.
7. Having an NTN vs Being an Active Filer — the Difference
Having an NTN and being an active filer (named on the ATL) are two different things. Withholding rates depend only on ATL status:
| Status | Meaning | Withholding |
|---|---|---|
| Named on the ATL | Has filed a return | Filer rates ✅ |
| Not named on the ATL | With or without an NTN, has not filed a return | Non-filer rates ❌ |
Under Rule 1 of the Tenth Schedule, most withholding is deducted at double the rate from people not on the ATL — whether or not they have an NTN makes no difference. To be named on the ATL you must file an annual return. Return filing guide: How to File a Tax Return
8. FAQ — NTN Number Pakistan
How do I check an NTN number online?
On iris.fbr.gov.pk, open 'Taxpayer Profile Inquiry' under 'Online Verifications', choose the parameter type (NTN, CNIC, Passport No., Reg/Inc. No. or Registration No.), enter the number and the captcha, and press 'Verify'. No login is needed for this. To see your own full record, log in to IRIS.
What is an NTN number — are the NTN and CNIC the same?
According to the FBR's IRIS FAQs, your User ID in IRIS is your Registration Number: the 13-digit CNIC/NICOP (without dashes) for Pakistani individuals, and the 7-digit NTN (without the dash and check digit) for non-Pakistani individuals, AOPs and companies. So for an ordinary individual, the CNIC itself serves as the tax identity.
How do I register for an NTN, and is there a fee?
iris.fbr.gov.pk has a registration route for unregistered persons: after giving your CNIC, email and mobile number, enter the verification codes sent to both, then create a password and a 4-digit PIN. There is no payment step in the steps of this IRIS 2.0 self-registration. The full steps are in our filer guide.
Can I check someone else's filer status from their CNIC?
Yes. Anyone's ATL status can be seen by entering a CNIC or NTN in IRIS's 'Active Taxpayer List (Income Tax)' verification. According to the FBR, also by SMS: type 'ATL (space) 13-digit CNIC' for an individual and 'ATL (space) 7-digit NTN' for an AOP/company, and send it to 9966. This is useful in property or car deals, because withholding rates depend on ATL status.
How do I check a business or company NTN?
In IRIS's 'Taxpayer Profile Inquiry', using the NTN, Reg/Inc. No. or Registration No. This form has no option to search by company name, so you need one of these numbers.
When is ATL status updated?
According to the FBR, the ATL is published every year on 1 March and remains valid until the last day of February of the following year, and it is updated on the FBR website every Monday. Having an NTN is not enough — to be on the ATL you must file a return, and filing late means paying the section 182A surcharge.
Related Tax Guides
Continue learning about Pakistan tax with these authoritative FBR-aligned guides.