SBP FE Manual 2026
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State Bank of Pakistan & FBR Section 154A Engine

SBP Freelancer Purpose Code & Tax Calculator

Find the exact 4-digit SBP remittance code for Payoneer, Wise, or SWIFT bank wires. Calculate your exact FBR Section 154A tax withholding (0.25% vs 1.00%) and see how much you save annually with a PSEB registration.

FBR Section 154A Withholding Tax Calculator

Instant calculation of tax deducted at source by your commercial bank

$
Gross Export ValueUSD 1,500
Rs. 417,750PKR Gross
FBR Withholding (Sec 154A @ 0.25%)- Rs. 1,044
Net In-Hand Bank DepositRs. 416,706
Annual Tax Advantage with PSEB

By registering with PSEB and paying 0.25% instead of 1.00%, you save Rs. 37,598 PKR every year on your export income!

SBP Master Purpose Code Directory (2026)

Official 4-digit codes mandated by the State Bank of Pakistan Foreign Exchange Manual

9110
Software & Web Development

Software Development & System Engineering

سافٹ ویئر ڈویلپمنٹ اور کمپیوٹر پروگرامنگ

Core coding, web development (React, Next.js, Laravel), mobile app development (iOS, Android, Flutter), backend APIs, database architecture, and custom software engineering.

Full-stack developersMobile app developersSaaS foundersUpwork / Fiverr top-rated coders
Tax Treatment:0.25% (PSEB Registered Filer) | 1.00% (Standard Filer)

PR Code 9110 - Software Development Services (IT Export under SBP FE Circular No. 04)

9112
Software Consultancy & Maintenance

IT Consultancy, Maintenance & Bug Fixing

آئی ٹی کنسلٹنسی، تکنیکی مشاورت اور مینٹیننس

Technical audits, DevOps, cloud infrastructure management (AWS, GCP, Azure), bug fixing, server administration, and cybersecurity reviews for foreign clients.

DevOps engineersCloud architectsQA automation engineersCybersecurity consultants
Tax Treatment:0.25% (PSEB Registered Filer) | 1.00% (Standard Filer)

PR Code 9112 - IT Consultancy and Software Maintenance Services (Export of Services)

9114
ITeS & Remote Support

IT Enabled Services (ITeS) & BPO

آئی ٹی ای سروسز اور بزنس پروسیس آؤٹ سورسنگ

Customer support, virtual assistance, remote bookkeeping, medical transcription, data annotation for AI models, and data entry outsourcing.

Virtual assistantsCustomer support agentsData labeling specialistsRemote office administrators
Tax Treatment:0.25% (PSEB Registered Filer) | 1.00% (Standard Filer)

PR Code 9114 - IT-Enabled Services (ITeS) / Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)

9116
Digital Marketing & SEO

Digital Marketing, SEO & Social Media Management

ڈیجیٹل مارکیٹنگ، سرچ انجن آپٹیمائزیشن اور اشتہارات

Search Engine Optimization (SEO), PPC campaign management (Google Ads, Meta Ads), social media handling, email marketing, and affiliate traffic generation.

SEO consultantsPerformance media buyersSocial media managersDigital growth agencies
Tax Treatment:0.25% (PSEB Registered Filer) | 1.00% (Standard Filer)

PR Code 9116 - Digital Marketing and Search Engine Optimization Services (ITeS Export)

9120
Design & Creative Media

Graphic Design, UI/UX, Animation & 3D Modeling

گرافک ڈیزائن، یوزر انٹرفیس (UI/UX) اور تھری ڈی اینیمیشن

UI/UX product design (Figma), brand identity, illustrations, video editing (Premiere, After Effects), 3D rendering (Blender), and game asset design.

Product & UI/UX designersVideo editors & motion designers3D artistsBrand identity illustrators
Tax Treatment:0.25% (PSEB Registered Filer) | 1.00% (Standard Filer)

PR Code 9120 - Graphic Design, Multimedia and Animation Services (Export of Services)

9122
Content & Translation

Content Writing, Copywriting & Language Translation

کنٹینٹ رائٹنگ، کاپی رائٹنگ اور زبان کی ترجمانی

Technical writing, landing page copywriting, blog articles, ghostwriting, scriptwriting, and multi-language translation for international companies.

CopywritersTechnical writersScriptwritersTranslators & localizers
Tax Treatment:0.25% (PSEB Registered Filer) | 1.00% (Standard Filer)

PR Code 9122 - Professional Content Writing and Translation Services (ITeS Export)

9210
Business Advisory

Management, Financial & Business Consultancy

کاروباری، مالیاتی اور مینجمنٹ کنسلٹنسی

Financial modeling, remote CFO services, strategy consulting, legal research, and business advisory services delivered remotely to offshore firms.

Financial analystsFractional CFOsBusiness strategy advisorsLegal researchers
Tax Treatment:1.00% (Standard Active Filer) | Non-IT Export

PR Code 9210 - Management Consultancy and Remote Advisory Services

9310
Online Education

Online Tutoring, E-Learning & Remote Training

آن لائن ٹیوشن، تدریس اور تربیتی پروگرامز

Remote Quran teaching, coding bootcamp instruction, academic tutoring, language training, and corporate webinar masterclasses.

Online tutorsQuran academiesCorporate corporate trainersRemote language instructors
Tax Treatment:1.00% (Standard Active Filer) | Non-IT Export

PR Code 9310 - Educational Services / Online Distance Tutoring Remittance

9899
Personal Remittance (Caution)

Personal Home Remittance (Family Support)

ذاتی گھریلو ترسیلاتِ زر (خاندان کا خرچ)

Money sent by family members or relatives abroad strictly for household living expenses, gifts, or family support. CRITICAL: Never use for business earnings or freelancing.

Overseas Pakistani workers sending money to spouse/parentsGifts between immediate blood relatives
Tax Treatment:0% Withholding Tax (Strict non-commercial requirement)

PR Code 9899 - Personal Family Maintenance Remittance (Strictly Non-Commercial)

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The "Code 9899 Trap": Why You Must Never Use Family Support for Freelance Remittances

Many banks and overseas agents default to PR Code 9899 because it has zero withholding tax at the counter. However, code 9899 legally declares the funds as personal family maintenance. If you use 9899 for freelancing or remote client payouts:

  • Your bank cannot issue an IT Export e-PRC, rendering your income ineligible for the concessionary 0.25% / 1% tax regime.
  • The FBR system will flag the funds as unexplained business income during return filing, potentially imposing standard personal income tax brackets up to 35%.
  • Under State Bank of Pakistan Foreign Exchange Regulation FE-04, misdeclaring export proceeds constitutes an offense under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act 1947.

How to Obtain Your Digital e-PRC from Pakistani Banks

Meezan Bank

Log in to Meezan Internet Banking > Remittances > Inward Remittance Certificate. PDF with digital QR code downloads instantly.

Bank Alfalah

Alfa App > Services > Remittance Certificate, or email your branch Relationship Manager with your SWIFT FTT reference.

HBL (Habib Bank)

HBL Mobile App > Inward Foreign Remittances. Click on the transaction reference to generate the computer-verified e-PRC.

Standard Chartered

Online Banking > Account Statement > Export Proceed Realization. Downloadable in auditable PDF for Section 154A reconciliation.

For Pakistani Software Developers & IT Exporters (Codes 9110, 9112, 9120)3,000 Free Emails

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Frequently Asked Questions (Freelancer Tax & SBP Codes)

What is the difference between SBP code 9110 and 9114?

Code 9110 is specifically reserved for core software engineering, programming, app development, and algorithmic architecture. Code 9114 covers IT-Enabled Services (ITeS), such as virtual assistance, customer support, data entry, and remote back-office workflows. Both qualify for the 0.25% PSEB tax rate.

Is Section 154A a final tax (FTR) or minimum tax?

Under the Income Tax Ordinance 2001, the tax deducted under Section 154A (0.25% for PSEB filers, 1% for standard active filers) constitutes a final tax on your export revenue, provided you file an annual income tax return and a sales tax return with your respective provincial revenue authority (such as PRA, SRB, or KPRA).

How do I put an SBP purpose code in Payoneer or Wise?

When withdrawing funds to your Pakistani bank account, in the "Purpose of Transfer" or "Description / Reference" field, enter: PR Code 9110 - Software Export. If your bank automatically credits the funds without asking, email your bank branch inward remittance desk with your transaction ID and specify code 9110.

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