Prize Bond prize money in Pakistan is currently subject to 15% withholding tax for filers appearing on the Active Taxpayers List (ATL) and 30% for non-filers who are not on the ATL. The tax is deducted from the prize amount when the prize money is paid. National Savings currently publishes the same rates for Prize Bond winnings.
This means two people winning the same prize can receive different net amounts simply because one appears on the FBR Active Taxpayers List and the other does not. Below is the current Prize Bond tax calculation, how ATL status works, and how the rules apply to ordinary and Premium Prize Bonds.
Quick Answer
- Filer/ATL Prize Bond tax: 15% of the gross prize amount.
- Non-filer/non-ATL Prize Bond tax: 30% of the gross prize amount.
- Tax is deducted at source when prize money is paid.
- The lower rate depends on appearing on the FBR Active Taxpayers List (ATL).
- Premium Prize Bonds are also subject to withholding tax.
- Check your latest ATL status before claiming prize money because tax rules can change.
Current Prize Bond Tax for Filer and Non-Filer
The current difference is straightforward:
| Tax status | Prize Bond tax rate | Amount received from Rs.100,000 prize |
|---|---|---|
| Filer / person on ATL | 15% | Rs.85,000 |
| Non-filer / person not on ATL | 30% | Rs.70,000 |
National Savings defines the filer category for this purpose as a person appearing on the Active Taxpayers List. A person not appearing on the ATL is charged the higher rate.
The Federal Board of Revenue also identifies lower withholding tax on Prize Bond winnings as one of the benefits of being on the ATL. Its current withholding-tax rate-card page is updated for Tax Year 2027 in accordance with Finance Act 2026.
In simple terms
If your winning Prize Bond carries a prize of Rs.1,000,000:
If you are on the ATL:
Rs.1,000,000 × 15% = Rs.150,000 tax
Net prize:
Rs.1,000,000 − Rs.150,000 = Rs.850,000
If you are not on the ATL:
Rs.1,000,000 × 30% = Rs.300,000 tax
Net prize:
Rs.1,000,000 − Rs.300,000 = Rs.700,000
The difference in this example is Rs.150,000.
What Does Filer Mean for Prize Bond Tax?
For Prize Bond tax, the practical distinction is whether your name appears on the FBR Active Taxpayers List, commonly called the ATL.
National Savings specifically describes filers as persons appearing in the ATL and non-filers as persons not appearing in it.
This distinction matters because people sometimes assume that having an NTN automatically means the lower Prize Bond tax rate applies. That is not the test stated by National Savings. The relevant status is your presence on the ATL.
FBR explains that inclusion in the ATL depends on the required income-tax return filing conditions. It also provides procedures for late filers to become included after meeting applicable requirements.
How to Check Your ATL Status Before Claiming a Prize
FBR provides several ways to confirm Active Taxpayer status.
For an individual, one convenient method is SMS:
ATL [space] 13-digit CNIC number
Send it to:
9966
FBR also provides an online ATL verification service and downloadable Active Taxpayers Lists.
Checking your status before submitting a significant Prize Bond claim is sensible because the difference between 15% and 30% can be substantial.
For example, on a Rs.1,500,000 prize:
| Status | Gross prize | Tax | Net prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filer / ATL | Rs.1,500,000 | Rs.225,000 | Rs.1,275,000 |
| Non-filer / non-ATL | Rs.1,500,000 | Rs.450,000 | Rs.1,050,000 |
These figures are examples based on the current 15% and 30% rates, not a statement that Rs.1,500,000 is a prize tier for every Prize Bond denomination.
You can also use our Prize Bond Tax Calculator to calculate the deduction for any prize amount.
How Is Prize Bond Tax Calculated?
Prize Bond withholding tax is calculated on the gross prize amount, not on the face value of the bond.
The basic formula is:
Prize Bond tax = Gross prize × applicable tax rate
For a filer:
Gross prize × 15%
For a non-filer:
Gross prize × 30%
The face value of the winning bond does not replace the prize amount in this calculation.
For example, suppose a person owns a Rs.750 Prize Bond but wins a Rs.500,000 prize. The tax calculation is made on the Rs.500,000 prize, not on the Rs.750 value of the bond.
At the current rates:
Filer:
Rs.500,000 × 15% = Rs.75,000 tax
Net = Rs.425,000
Non-filer:
Rs.500,000 × 30% = Rs.150,000 tax
Net = Rs.350,000
Is Prize Bond Tax Deducted Automatically?
Yes. Prize Bond tax is a withholding tax, which means the applicable tax is deducted from the prize money at the time of payment rather than requiring the winner to first receive the whole prize and then separately pay this withholding amount.
National Savings states that 15% is deducted from filers and 30% from non-filers against Prize Bond prize money.
So if a filer has a gross Prize Bond prize of Rs.100,000, the payer deducts Rs.15,000 and the remaining prize after this withholding is Rs.85,000.
This page explains the withholding applied to Prize Bond winnings. Any question about how a specific tax deduction should be reported, credited or otherwise treated in an individual’s tax return should be checked against current FBR rules or with a qualified tax professional.
Does the Same Tax Apply to Premium Prize Bonds?
Premium Prize Bonds are registered bonds and are different from ordinary bearer Prize Bonds, but withholding tax still applies.
National Savings currently offers registered Premium Prize Bonds in Rs.25,000 and Rs.40,000 denominations. It states that withholding tax applies to Premium Prize Bond prize money as well as profit.
According to the National Savings FAQ:
- Person appearing in ATL: 15% WHT
- Person not appearing in ATL: 30% WHT
Premium Prize Bonds also differ operationally from ordinary bearer bonds because prize money and profit are credited directly to the investor’s registered bank account.
Do not confuse the current registered Rs.25,000 and Rs.40,000 Premium Prize Bonds with the old withdrawn bearer Rs.25,000 and Rs.40,000 Prize Bonds.
For the full distinction, see our Premium Prize Bonds and Discontinued Prize Bonds pages.
Prize Money, Tax and Net Prize Are Three Different Figures
A useful way to read a Prize Bond claim is to separate three amounts:
Gross prize
The complete prize before withholding tax.
Tax deduction
The amount withheld according to your ATL status.
Net prize
The amount remaining after the withholding deduction.
For example:
Gross prize: Rs.2,000,000
Filer tax at 15%: Rs.300,000
Net amount: Rs.1,700,000
For a non-filer:
Gross prize: Rs.2,000,000
Non-filer tax at 30%: Rs.600,000
Net amount: Rs.1,400,000
This is why a published Prize Bond result should not be interpreted as the exact amount that will reach the winner after tax. Published prize amounts are gross amounts.
Does Prize Bond Denomination Change the Tax Rate?
No separate filer/non-filer percentage is published by National Savings for different ordinary Prize Bond denominations.
The current National Savings Prize Bond page lists 15% for filers and 30% for non-filers as the applicable tax rates on Prize Bond prize value.
So the relevant factors are:
- the gross amount of the winning prize; and
- whether the recipient appears on the ATL.
The percentage is not lower simply because the winning bond has a smaller face value.
Common Prize Bond Tax Mistakes
Assuming an NTN automatically means 15% tax
The National Savings rule refers to people appearing in the ATL. Check your current FBR ATL status rather than relying only on an NTN or an old tax document.
Calculating tax on the bond’s face value
Tax applies to the prize money, not the Rs.100, Rs.200, Rs.750 or Rs.1,500 face value of an ordinary bond.
Subtracting tax before identifying the gross prize
Prize lists show the prize amount. Calculate withholding from that gross amount to determine the estimated net payment.
Confusing ordinary Prize Bonds with Premium Prize Bonds
Premium Prize Bonds are registered instruments. National Savings states that WHT applies to their prize money and profit, and payment is handled through the registered banking arrangement.
Relying on an old tax percentage
Tax rates can change through legislation and government policy. PrizeBondList.pk therefore checks current National Savings and FBR information rather than treating an older rate as permanent.
Why the ATL Difference Matters
The non-filer Prize Bond tax rate is currently twice the filer rate: 30% compared with 15%.
That difference becomes more noticeable as the prize increases.
| Gross prize | Filer tax 15% | Non-filer tax 30% | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rs.100,000 | Rs.15,000 | Rs.30,000 | Rs.15,000 |
| Rs.500,000 | Rs.75,000 | Rs.150,000 | Rs.75,000 |
| Rs.1,000,000 | Rs.150,000 | Rs.300,000 | Rs.150,000 |
| Rs.5,000,000 | Rs.750,000 | Rs.1,500,000 | Rs.750,000 |
These are mathematical examples using the current official rates. They are not a list of Prize Bond prize tiers.
Before You Claim a Winning Prize Bond
Once you have confirmed that your number has won, check three things before calculating what you will receive:
- Confirm the winning number against the relevant official draw result.
- Check your current ATL status through FBR.
- Apply the current Prize Bond withholding rate to the gross prize amount.
For details about the documents, claim locations and submission process, see How to Claim Prize Bond Money and the Prize Bond Claim Form guide.
PrizeBondList.pk disclosure
PrizeBondList.pk is an independent information website and is not operated by National Savings, the State Bank of Pakistan or the Government of Pakistan. Official sources should be used for final confirmation of claims, forms and policy changes.
Prize Bond Tax for Filer/Non-Filer — Bottom Line
The current Prize Bond tax for filer/non-filer status is 15% for a person appearing on the FBR Active Taxpayers List and 30% for a person not appearing on the ATL. The withholding is calculated on the gross prize and deducted when the prize money is paid.
Before making a claim, check your latest ATL status and confirm that the rates have not changed. For a quick calculation, enter the gross prize and filer status in the Prize Bond Tax Calculator, then use the official National Savings or FBR information for final confirmation.
7. FAQs
What is the current Prize Bond tax for a filer in Pakistan?
The current Prize Bond withholding tax for a filer appearing on the FBR Active Taxpayers List is 15% of the gross prize amount. For example, tax on a Rs.100,000 prize would be Rs.15,000, leaving Rs.85,000 after this withholding deduction.
What is the Prize Bond tax for a non-filer?
A person who does not appear on the Active Taxpayers List is currently subject to 30% withholding tax on Prize Bond prize money. A Rs.100,000 gross prize would therefore have Rs.30,000 withheld, leaving Rs.70,000 after this deduction.
Is Prize Bond tax calculated on the bond value or prize money?
Tax is calculated on the prize amount, not the face value of the Prize Bond. If a Rs.750 bond wins a Rs.500,000 prize, the applicable withholding percentage is calculated against Rs.500,000.
How can I check whether I am a filer for Prize Bond tax?
Check whether you appear on FBR’s Active Taxpayers List. FBR allows individuals to check by sending ATL followed by a space and the 13-digit CNIC number to 9966, or through its online ATL verification facility.
Does Premium Prize Bond prize money have tax?
Yes. National Savings states that withholding tax applies to Premium Prize Bond prize money and profit. Its current FAQ lists 15% for persons appearing in ATL and 30% for persons not appearing in ATL.
Is tax deducted before Prize Bond money is paid?
Yes. National Savings describes Prize Bond tax as a deduction at source when prize money is paid. The winner therefore receives the prize after the applicable withholding tax has been deducted.
Does having an NTN automatically qualify me for the 15% Prize Bond rate?
The official National Savings wording is based on whether the person appears in the Active Taxpayers List. An NTN by itself should therefore not be treated as proof of the lower Prize Bond withholding rate. Check your current ATL status through FBR before relying on the 15% rate.