FBR IRIS Portal Error Prevents Salaried Taxpayers from Filing Income Tax Returns for 2025
ISLAMABAD: Thousands of salaried individuals in Pakistan are facing difficulties in filing their annual income tax returns for Tax Year 2025 due to a critical technical error in the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) IRIS portal.
When attempting to submit salary returns, the portal displays the message: “Please enter correct receipt value”. Tax experts and lawyers report that the error cannot be rectified despite multiple attempts. Calls to the FBR helpline have also failed to provide a solution, leaving taxpayers without guidance.
With the September 30, 2025 deadline for filing approaching, tax professionals are urging the government to immediately extend the filing date for the salaried class until the issue is resolved.
Complaint Filed with Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO)
A formal complaint has been submitted to the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) by tax lawyer Khurram Shahzad under Section 10 of the FTO Ordinance, 2000. The complaint alleges maladministration and professional incompetence on the part of the FBR IT Wing, which manages the IRIS portal.
According to the complaint:
- The portal error specifically affects salary income tax returns of individuals.
- The system continuously shows the error “Please enter correct receipt value” without clarification.
- Taxpayers have emailed FBR for support, but replies have been “generic, vague, and non-responsive.”
Risks for Taxpayers and Government Revenue
Experts warn that if the issue remains unresolved:
- Thousands of taxpayers may be wrongfully declared inactive under the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.
- Salaried individuals could face undue hardship, harassment, and penalties.
- The government risks substantial revenue losses due to delayed or failed filings.
Calls for Immediate Action
Tax professionals have urged the FTO to:
- Recognize FBR’s conduct as maladministration under Section 2(3) of the FTO Ordinance.
- Direct the Chairman FBR to urgently resolve the IRIS portal error.
- Ensure taxpayers are able to file returns without technical hindrance.
- Recommend an extension of the return filing deadline to safeguard taxpayer rights and protect national revenue.
- Restructure the FBR IT Wing with qualified experts to prevent future system failures.
Outlook
The IRIS portal malfunction highlights serious challenges in Pakistan’s tax administration system, especially for salaried taxpayers who depend on timely and accurate filing processes. With the deadline fast approaching, a swift resolution is critical to protect both taxpayer compliance and government revenue collection.
