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Utilizing Form-38 for Obtaining Inactive Company Status in Pakistan

Utilizing Form-38 for Obtaining Inactive Company Status in Pakistan

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Utilizing Form-38 for Obtaining Inactive Company Status in Pakistan

Running a business in Pakistan comes with a fair share of responsibilities—financial, legal, and operational. However, there may come a time when a company ceases its active operations without formally shutting down. Whether due to temporary closure, strategic restructuring, or lack of business activity, placing a company on “inactive status” becomes a viable option for entrepreneurs who wish to pause rather than permanently dissolve their business. In Pakistan, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has made this process accessible through Form-38, which allows companies to be officially recognized as inactive while staying compliant with regulatory requirements.

This status helps reduce the administrative and financial burden of running a non-operational business, including exemptions from certain filings and tax submissions. However, failure to properly declare inactivity can lead to penalties, legal complications, and unnecessary costs. That’s why understanding how to utilize Form-38 efficiently is crucial for every business owner in Pakistan seeking to scale down or temporarily suspend their company’s operations.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the essentials of Form-38, the legal implications of inactive status, key benefits, common pitfalls, and step-by-step procedures to help you stay compliant with the SECP and FBR. Whether you’re a startup founder, SME owner, or a corporate stakeholder, this comprehensive guide is designed to help you navigate the process with clarity and confidence.

What is Form-38?

Form-38 is an official document prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) that allows registered companies to formally declare their inactive status. In simple terms, if a company is no longer conducting business operations but does not wish to be dissolved, it can submit Form-38 to inform the SECP that it is temporarily non-operational. This status helps relieve the company from various ongoing regulatory obligations while keeping it in good standing.

By filing Form-38, a company remains on the SECP register but is not required to submit certain statutory filings, such as audited financial statements or compliance returns—unless it resumes operations. This option is particularly useful for startups, small businesses, or companies undergoing restructuring who want to minimize compliance costs without shutting down entirely.

Understanding what Form-38 entails, when to use it, and the legal responsibilities associated with an inactive company is crucial for any business owner seeking compliance without unnecessary overhead.

Purpose and Legal Framework

Form-38 is a critical statutory document submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) to formally declare a business as inactive. Mandated under the Companies Act 2017, Form-38 serves as an official notice to regulatory bodies that a company has temporarily ceased its commercial operations and will not be engaging in any form of business activity until further notice. This status is not the same as company dissolution—it is a strategic pause that allows a business to maintain its corporate identity without the burdens of active compliance.

Filing Form-38 offers substantial administrative and financial relief. By notifying the SECP of the company’s inactive status, businesses can avoid the repetitive obligations of income tax filing, withholding tax submissions, sales tax returns, payroll processing, and routine statutory audits. This is particularly beneficial for startups, seasonal businesses, or enterprises undergoing internal restructuring or capital shortages.

For example, a company might go inactive due to funding delays, market downturns, or a pivot in business strategy. In such cases, Form-38 helps reduce overhead costs while keeping the business legally registered and in good standing with both SECP and FBR. It also allows companies to resume operations smoothly once they’re ready—without needing to re-register or go through the incorporation process again.

Utilizing Form-38 for Obtaining Inactive Company Status in Pakistan

In summary, Form-38 is more than just a declaration—it’s a strategic tool that supports cost-effective compliance management for temporarily non-operational businesses in Pakistan.

Benefits of Declaring Inactive Status

Choosing to declare your company as inactive through Form-38 offers a wide range of strategic, financial, and operational benefits. This approach allows business owners in Pakistan to reduce unnecessary overhead and remain compliant with regulatory requirements—without going through the legal and financial complications of winding up the business entirely.

Here are the key advantages of utilizing Form-38:

✅ 1. Tax Suspension and Compliance Exemption

When a business is marked inactive by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), it is no longer required to file regular income tax returns, capital gains tax reports, or federal tax obligations—as long as no taxable activity occurs during the dormant period. This significantly eases the burden on company finances and frees up resources for strategic planning or recovery. Businesses also avoid withholding tax (WHT) deductions and related filings, which are only applicable to active entities generating revenue or making disbursements.

✅ 2. Simplified Accounting and Bookkeeping

Once declared inactive, businesses can temporarily pause day-to-day accounting operations such as double entry bookkeeping, ledger account maintenance, and bank reconciliations. Since there are no incoming or outgoing transactions, the general ledger remains static, reducing the need for accounting staff and resources. This is particularly beneficial for SMEs and startups where basic accounting tasks can often consume time and increase operating costs.

✅ 3. Software and Systems Cost Optimization

Declaring inactivity means you can suspend subscriptions and usage of cloud-based accounting software such as QuickBooks Online, Xero, ZohoBooks, and other enterprise resource planning (ERP) tools. These platforms often come with monthly or annual costs. By pausing your software usage, you prevent unnecessary expense while ensuring your digital records remain intact and ready to be reactivated when needed.

✅ 4. Payroll Management Cost Savings

When your company is inactive, there is no requirement to run payroll, which means you can deactivate payroll services entirely. This includes suspending employee salary disbursements, payroll slip generation, statutory deductions (such as EOBI, PF, or withholding tax), and third-party payroll software subscriptions like ADP RUN, QuickBooks Payroll, or Wagepoint. It’s a practical way to save costs while maintaining payroll records for reactivation when operations resume.

✅ 5. Regulatory and Administrative Relief

Inactive status ensures that your company has minimal interaction with regulatory bodies such as the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and SECP. This not only saves time but also shields your business from penalties related to non-filing of statements, late returns, or compliance errors. Businesses no longer need to worry about routine statutory requirements, including sales tax filings, compliance reports, and Form-A submissions, unless they become operational again.

These benefits collectively make Form-38 a smart, cost-effective tool for businesses that are not currently operating but plan to resume in the future. It enables companies to stay compliant, preserve their legal identity, and avoid financial waste, all while maintaining the option to return to full-scale operations when the time is right.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to File Form-38

Filing Form-38 with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) is a straightforward yet highly regulated process. Companies looking to declare inactive status must ensure all documentation is accurate, up-to-date, and aligned with basic accounting and bookkeeping principles. Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to help business owners, accountants, and compliance officers properly file Form-38 while remaining in full regulatory compliance.

📝 Step 1: Pass a Formal Board Resolution

The process begins with drafting and approving a formal board resolution to declare the company inactive. This resolution must be passed by the Board of Directors and must be signed and dated according to your company’s internal governance policies.

This resolution confirms that the decision to go inactive has been made in accordance with proper corporate procedures and is not arbitrary. It must include key details such as:

  • The date from which the business operations ceased
  • The reason for seeking inactive status
  • Confirmation that no commercial transactions will take place until reactivation

This document is a mandatory requirement under SECP regulations and must be submitted as part of the Form-38 package. Companies should ensure that the resolution is consistent with their double-entry bookkeeping records and accurately reflects the company’s decision-making process.

📊 Step 2: Prepare Final Financial Records

Before filing Form-38, it’s essential to finalize and organize your company’s financial statements up to the date of inactivity. Even though your business is declaring itself dormant, the SECP still requires that you provide a clear picture of the company’s last active financial position.

You should prepare and preserve:

  • Chart of Accounts: Ensure all account heads are updated and reflect the business’s latest transactions.
  • General Ledger: Your ledger account should show complete transaction history and close balances where necessary.
  • Bookkeeping Entries: Complete any pending bookkeeping entries including outstanding liabilities, depreciation, or capital expenditure (if any).

To make this process easier and more accurate, consider using professional accounting software like:

  • QuickBooks ProAdvisor (for detailed financial tracking and reporting)
  • ZohoBooks (ideal for bank reconciliation and tax mapping)
  • Pastel Online Accounting (useful for small businesses with basic accounting needs)

These tools help ensure data integrity and alignment with accounting standards, and they also simplify the process for the accountant issuing the certification required by SECP.

📤 Step 3: Submit Form-38 via SECP e-Services Portal

Once you’ve completed the documentation and finalized the financials, you can move forward with submitting Form-38 via the SECP e-Services Portal. This online submission must be accompanied by a set of supporting documents that validate your company’s claim of inactivity. These include:

Required Attachments:

  • ✅ Certified Copy of the Board Resolution: Must be signed by all relevant directors and authenticated as per company bylaws.
  • ✅ Last Filed Income Tax Return: To demonstrate tax compliance up to the last active financial year.
  • ✅ Proof of No Commercial Activity: Bank statements showing zero transaction activity, a lack of invoices or receipts, or any other proof that indicates business inactivity.
  • ✅ Accountant’s Certification (if applicable): In some cases, SECP may require an attested statement from a certified accountant confirming that the company has not engaged in any commercial or taxable activity.

Ensure that all uploaded documents are in the correct format (usually PDF), are legible, and free from discrepancies. Any inconsistencies between the documents and your general ledger may delay the approval or trigger a query from the SECP.

After submission, the SECP will review your application and, if satisfied, update your company’s status to “inactive” in their official records.

Following this step-by-step approach not only helps avoid legal complications but also ensures that your business remains in good standing with both SECP and FBR, despite being temporarily non-operational.

After Filing Form-38: What to Expect

Once approved, your company receives inactive company status. Here’s how this affects operations:

  • 🛑 No need to file tax return or pay tax on rental income
  • 🛑 Suspend payroll management systems and QuickBooks manage payroll cloud services
  • 🛑 Pause accrual accounting and general ledger updates
  • ✅ Maintain basic book keeping to ensure reactivation readiness
  • ✅ Avoid active income tax slab responsibilities and withholding tax payments

Common Problems in Filing Form-38

While Form-38 provides a convenient pathway to declare your business inactive, many companies encounter avoidable obstacles during the filing process. The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) requires strict compliance and transparency, and any errors in accounting, tax reporting, or documentation can lead to delays, rejection, or legal scrutiny. Below are some of the most frequent issues faced by companies when submitting Form-38—and how you can avoid them.

❌ 1. Poor Bookkeeping History and Disorganized Financial Records

One of the most common reasons for rejection is inadequate bookkeeping. Companies that fail to maintain accurate and up-to-date records—such as bookkeeping entries, bank reconciliation statements, and general ledger accounts—often face scrutiny from the SECP. Even if your company has been dormant for several months, you must still present a coherent financial history up to the point of inactivity.

Missing documents, unbalanced ledgers, or failure to maintain a double-entry bookkeeping system could result in your Form-38 application being flagged or returned. Using professional bookkeeping services or software like QuickBooks Online, Xero, or ZohoBooks can help generate the necessary financial statements required for SECP compliance.

❌ 2. Unresolved FBR Non-Compliance

A widespread misconception is that declaring your company inactive exempts you from past tax liabilities—but this is not true. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) requires that all pending obligations be cleared before you apply for inactive status. If your company has missed previous income tax return filings, capital gains tax disclosures, or sales tax declarations, your Form-38 submission may be rejected until those issues are resolved.

Make sure to file all overdue income tax returns, withholding tax statements, and financial year reports with FBR. Also, check your IRIS portal to confirm there are no outstanding liabilities or system-generated notices before proceeding with Form-38.

❌ 3. Payroll Systems Still Active

Another critical oversight is failure to deactivate payroll operations. Even if no salaries are being disbursed, having active payroll software or systems in place—like QuickBooks Payroll, Wagepoint, or ADP RUN—can give the impression that your business is still operational. This may trigger inquiries or taxation on payroll-related filings.

To avoid this, instruct your tax accountant or bookkeeping professional to formally deactivate all payroll systems, stop paycheck generation, and discontinue payroll tax entries. If you are using systems with Quick Payroll or Single Touch Payroll features, ensure that employee information is frozen and no further submissions are made to FBR or other tax bodies.

❌ 4. Overlooked Withholding Tax on Passive Payments

Even while inactive, some businesses continue to make passive payments such as rent, consulting fees, royalties, or property leases. What many business owners fail to realize is that these transactions still require withholding tax (WHT) deductions under Pakistani tax laws.

If your company is paying rent or other passive obligations without deducting and depositing the applicable WHT, you may be in default—even while officially declared dormant. This could invalidate your Form-38 submission or trigger penalties later on. It’s advisable to consult a qualified tax advisor to determine whether any such liabilities exist and how to settle them properly before or during the dormancy application process.

Pro Tip: Use Accounting Software for Compliance Readiness

Many of these problems can be avoided by investing in proper accounting bookkeeping tools and engaging with a professional bookkeeper accounting service. Cloud platforms like QuickBooks Online, ZohoBooks, and Xero Accounting offer features such as:

  • Automated ledger account generation
  • Real-time bank reconciliation
  • Payroll suspension tracking
  • Accurate audit trail for tax and regulatory review

Keeping your records tidy not only simplifies the Form-38 filing process but also protects your company from future compliance issues when you decide to resume operations.

Reactivating an Inactive Company

Declaring your business inactive through Form-38 doesn’t mean your company has reached the end of the road. When the time is right—whether due to new investment, market demand, or internal restructuring—you can reactivate your company and return to full operations. However, reactivation isn’t automatic; it requires proper communication with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and a complete restoration of your accounting, bookkeeping, and tax systems.

Utilizing Form-38 for Obtaining Inactive Company Status in Pakistan

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to reactivate your business and ensure a smooth return to the regulatory and financial landscape of Pakistan:

🔄 1. Submit a Reactivation Notice to SECP

The first step is to inform the SECP through an official reactivation notice, usually filed via their e-Services portal. This notice must reference your previously submitted Form-38 and include a resolution from your Board of Directors indicating the intention to resume business operations. In some cases, the SECP may also require updated financial documentation or tax clearance certificates.

Make sure all attached documents are up to date, signed, and comply with the latest SECP filing standards. Once your reactivation is approved, your company’s status will be updated to “Active” in the SECP’s official records.

📊 2. Restart Accounting Bookkeeping and Income Tax Registration

Reactivating your company also means restarting your accounting cycle. You’ll need to reinitiate essential processes such as:

  • Bookkeeping entries
  • Income tax registration updates
  • Ledger account setup
  • Bank reconciliation

Ensure that your general ledger reflects the reopening date and all subsequent transactions. If your business had remained dormant for several years, you may need to close historical books and open new financial periods to maintain clear audit trails.

Additionally, coordinate with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to ensure your income tax registration is reactivated and your IRIS profile is up to date.

💻 3. Reinstall Accounting Software (QuickBooks, ZohoBooks, Xero)

If you paused or cancelled your accounting software subscriptions during dormancy, now is the time to reinstall and configure them. Consider tools such as:

  • QuickBooks Online Accountant for streamlined financial tracking, payroll integration, and compliance reporting
  • ZohoBooks for real-time bank reconciliation, invoicing, and tax reports
  • Xero Accounting for small to mid-sized businesses seeking easy integration with banking and tax systems

These platforms will help ensure your bookkeeping and accounting services meet both operational and compliance standards. Re-link your bank accounts and import any offline transactions recorded during dormancy.

💼 4. Resume Payroll Services and Update Chart of Accounts

If your business plans to rehire staff or resume salary payments, you must reactivate your payroll services. This includes:

  • Setting up employee profiles
  • Recalculating payroll tax obligations
  • Generating payroll slips and salary journals
  • Syncing data with FBR and SECP systems

Also, make sure to update your chart of accounts to reflect new or resumed activities. If you plan to pivot to a new line of business, you may need to revise account categories, revenue types, and expense classifications in your accounting system.

🔁 5. Re-enter the Accounting Cycle and Resume Tax Filings

With your systems and staff in place, your company must now fully re-enter the accounting cycle. This includes:

  • Monthly bookkeeping entries
  • Quarterly and annual income tax return filings
  • Withholding tax calculations on applicable payments
  • Bank reconciliation and financial statement preparation

Filing your next income tax return will officially signal to the FBR that your company is operational again. Be sure to meet all deadlines to avoid penalties or system-generated default notices.

Tools That Support Inactive Company Management

Even when your company is declared inactive, maintaining a minimal level of financial control is crucial to ensure a smooth reactivation in the future. Fortunately, there are several powerful accounting software tools that make it easier to manage dormant companies while minimizing overhead and compliance risk.

These tools allow you to store historical data, track limited activity, and remain regulatory-ready without committing to full-scale accounting operations. Here’s a look at the best platforms for inactive company management in Pakistan and beyond:

💼 QuickBooks Online / QuickBooks Online Accountant

QuickBooks Online is one of the most popular accounting software platforms globally—and for good reason. For inactive businesses, it provides an efficient way to maintain light-duty financial records without overcomplicating things. The QuickBooks Online Accountant version is especially useful for bookkeepers and accountants managing multiple dormant companies at once.

Key Features:

  • Easy access to chart of accounts and ledger history
  • Real-time cloud backups of dormant financials
  • Integration with FBR-compliant tax features
  • Ideal for future reactivation with minimal setup

This tool is particularly helpful for companies that want to pause their operations without losing control over their historical data.

🌐 Xero Accounting

Xero is a cloud-based platform designed for small to medium businesses that need flexible accounting solutions. For companies declared inactive via Form-38, Xero offers a streamlined and remote-ready solution for maintaining basic records and compliance.

Key Features:

  • Lightweight dashboard for easy navigation
  • Smart expense tracking with zero active transactions
  • Remote access for accountants and bookkeepers
  • Seamless reactivation when business resumes

Xero is perfect for companies that want to stay compliant from anywhere, especially during restructuring or remote downscaling.

📘 ZohoBooks

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly yet powerful solution, ZohoBooks is an excellent option. It provides solid functionality for companies that want to remain in good standing with SECP and FBR during inactivity—without incurring the cost of high-end software.

Key Features:

  • Cost-effective subscription plans
  • Built-in compliance features aligned with Pakistani tax laws
  • Chart of accounts, general ledger, and bank reconciliation tools
  • Customizable reporting features for dormant status

ZohoBooks is ideal for entrepreneurs, startups, and SMEs who need basic accounting tools during dormancy but want the flexibility to scale later.

🧩 Intuit QuickBooks (Desktop and Online)

Intuit’s full QuickBooks suite, including both Desktop and Online versions, offers full-stack support for businesses preparing for reactivation. It’s more robust than most light-duty tools, making it suitable for companies planning a strategic comeback.

Utilizing Form-38 for Obtaining Inactive Company Status in Pakistan

Key Features:

  • Historical data archiving
  • Seamless payroll system reactivation
  • Integration with external inventory and CRM systems
  • Audit-ready reporting

If your business is temporarily paused but plans to scale quickly once reactivated, this comprehensive suite will save you time and resources.

🧾 Pastel Online Accounting

Pastel Accounting, widely used by Pakistani SMEs, is another trusted platform for maintaining inactive business records. Known for its user-friendly interface and basic accounting capabilities, it’s a go-to for companies that need to meet minimum documentation requirements without ongoing complexity.

Key Features:

  • Offline and online capabilities
  • Customizable reports for non-operational businesses
  • Effective chart of accounts and ledger maintenance
  • Affordable solution for small businesses in Pakistan

Pastel is a practical choice for companies that want simple financial oversight while inactive and local support from accounting professionals familiar with the software.

Why These Tools Matter

While it might seem unnecessary to maintain accounting software for a dormant business, the truth is that reliable financial tools play a critical role in inactive company management. Even during periods of no commercial activity, failing to organize and secure your financial data can lead to compliance issues, delayed reactivation, and unnecessary costs down the line.

Here’s why maintaining light-duty use of accounting software like QuickBooks Online, Xero, ZohoBooks, or Pastel Accounting is not just useful—but essential:

🧾 Prevents Disorganized Ledger Accounts

Your company’s ledger account is the foundation of financial transparency. Without a structured accounting system in place, dormant businesses often lose track of historical data, leading to gaps in financial records. Disorganized ledgers can result in SECP filing rejections, audit issues, and reactivation delays.

🗂️ Avoids Incomplete Bookkeeping Entries

Even if your company is not currently operating, past bookkeeping entries must be preserved and accessible. Incomplete or missing records can pose serious challenges during income tax return filings, compliance audits, or due diligence processes. A reliable accounting platform ensures that all entries, whether past or minimal, are stored correctly and accessible when needed.

🧾 Ensures Timely Income Tax Filings Upon Reactivation

When your business resumes operations, you’ll be required to file an updated income tax return, resume withholding tax deductions, and re-enter the accounting cycle. If you’ve neglected recordkeeping during dormancy, this process becomes complicated and error-prone. Accounting software simplifies reactivation by maintaining an up-to-date chart of accounts, tax history, and compliance documents in one place.

🔄 Supports Proper Bank Reconciliation and Audit Trail

Neglecting bank reconciliation during dormancy can cause mismatches in your financial data and raise red flags during audits. Whether it’s proving inactivity or preparing for reactivation, a proper audit trail is essential. Software like QuickBooks and Xero provides automated reconciliation tools and secure data backups to help you stay audit-ready at all times.

✅ Enables Smooth, Stress-Free Reactivation

Ultimately, these tools streamline the reactivation process. When you’re ready to restart operations, everything from your general ledger and payroll setup to your bookkeeping structure is already in place—saving you valuable time and ensuring compliance with SECP and FBR requirements.

Whether you’re managing a single business or an entire portfolio of dormant companies, integrating even light usage of these accounting platforms ensures:

  • Compliance with tax and corporate laws
  • Peace of mind knowing financial records are secure
  • A hassle-free return to business when the time is right

Expert Tips to Avoid Mistakes

Successfully maintaining an inactive company status under Form-38 requires more than just submitting the right paperwork—it demands ongoing awareness, proper recordkeeping, and strategic planning. Many businesses unknowingly trigger compliance issues due to minor oversights in accounting, payroll, or taxation. To help you stay ahead, here are some expert tips that can save you from costly errors and legal complications:

✅ 1. Backup All Financial Records and Tax Documents

Even while your business is inactive, you must retain all prior financial records in an organized and easily retrievable format. This includes:

  • FBR income tax returns filed in previous fiscal years
  • Copies of the Income Tax Ordinance or relevant correspondence from FBR
  • Bank statements, invoices, and ledger entries verifying inactivity

Having these documents readily available is crucial in case of a regulatory audit or if SECP or FBR requests verification before approving reactivation or dormancy status. Use digital backup solutions or cloud storage integrated with accounting tools like QuickBooks Online Accountant or Xero to keep everything safe and accessible.

✅ 2. Use Paycheck Estimators if Any Employees Remain

If you’re retaining part-time employees or staff on standby during dormancy, you must ensure that all payroll activities are still tax-compliant. Even a single salary disbursement requires proper withholding tax calculations and payroll slip issuance.

Utilizing Form-38 for Obtaining Inactive Company Status in Pakistan

Using tools such as a paycheck estimator or built-in payroll calculators in ZohoBooks, QuickBooks Payroll, or Wagepoint can help you:

  • Estimate gross-to-net salary accurately
  • Ensure correct tax deductions
  • Generate compliant payroll slips

This is especially important if you’re maintaining a skeleton crew or administrative staff for business continuity purposes.

✅ 3. Monitor Asset Transactions Carefully

A common mistake during dormancy is assuming that no business activity means no tax liability—but that’s not always the case. If your company sells assets (like equipment, vehicles, or property), you may be liable for:

  • Capital gains tax
  • Tax deducted at source (TDS)
  • Sales tax (if the asset falls under taxable categories)

These transactions can trigger reporting requirements—even if you’re not operational. That’s why it’s essential to consult a qualified tax accountant or financial advisor before executing any asset transfers during your company’s inactive period.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Managing an inactive company in Pakistan involves a number of regulatory nuances. Below are some of the most common questions asked by business owners considering or maintaining Form-38 inactive status with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP):

❓Q1: Is Form-38 mandatory for dormant companies?

Yes. If your company has ceased commercial operations—even temporarily—it is mandatory to file Form-38 with the SECP. Without this declaration, your company will continue to be considered “active” in the regulatory system, and you may be subject to penalties for non-compliance, including late filing fines, failure-to-file notices, and taxation obligations. Arshad & Associates ensures your Form-38 submission is correctly prepared, submitted, and tracked.

❓Q2: Can I still keep bank accounts open?

Yes, you can. Dormant companies are allowed to retain open bank accounts. However, it is important that these accounts remain inactive—meaning no deposits or withdrawals linked to business activities should be made. These accounts must also be declared in your basic accounting records and bank reconciliation reports, even if there’s no transaction activity. Keeping clear records helps avoid complications during audits or reactivation.

❓Q3: Is there a fee for Form-38?

Yes, a nominal fee applies. The SECP charges a filing fee for Form-38, which may vary slightly depending on your company’s classification (private limited, public unlisted, etc.). The fee is generally affordable, but late or incorrect filings may attract additional fines. At Arshad & Associates, we provide a transparent breakdown of all applicable fees, so there are no surprises in the process.

❓Q4: Do I still need a bookkeeper while my company is inactive?

Technically, no—but it’s strongly recommended. While the SECP doesn’t mandate having a bookkeeper for a dormant business, hiring a bookkeeper accounting expert can save you from future issues. A professional can ensure that your ledger accounts, bookkeeping entries, and chart of accounts remain in good shape, preserving your company’s accounting cycle for when you’re ready to resume operations.

By maintaining accurate financial documentation during dormancy, you avoid costly clean-up work and reduce reactivation delays.

📢 Let the Experts at Arshad & Associates Handle Your Compliance with Confidence

Ready to file Form-38 and pause your company’s operations—professionally, accurately, and stress-free?
At Arshad & Associates, we don’t just process forms—we guide you through strategic decisions that shape your business’s future. Whether you’re entering dormancy or planning a smart comeback, we ensure every step complies with SECP and FBR standards.

Why Choose Us?

We specialize in helping Pakistani businesses stay compliant, save time, and cut unnecessary costs during inactivity—without losing sight of long-term goals.

🔧 Our Services Include:

  • 📋 Form-38 Filing & Inactive Status Declaration
  • 💼 Professional Bookkeeping & General Ledger Maintenance
  • 🧾 Income Tax Filing, Withholding Tax, & Capital Gains Advisory
  • 🧮 Payroll System Setup & Suspension (Quick Payroll, STP & more)
  • 📊 Software Integration with QuickBooks, ZohoBooks, Xero, Wave, and others
  • 🏢 Company Registration & Reactivation Support with SECP & FBR

📞 Let’s Get Started Today:

  • Phone: +92 331 5661278
  • Email: info@arshadassociates.com | talhaarshad97@gmail.com
  • Website: www.arshadassociates.com
  • Office: House 291, Street 17, Phase 5, Bahria Town, Islamabad

🎯 Your Compliance. Our Expertise.

Let our certified accounting professionals take the burden off your shoulders—so you can focus on what really matters: growth, profitability, and peace of mind.

📌 Don’t just file—file smart. Choose Arshad & Associates.