Is FBR’s IRIS System Down in Pakistan?

Users across Pakistan are reporting that the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) IRIS system is currently inaccessible, sparking questions and concerns over its stability. Many taxpayers and tax professionals say that attempts to log into IRIS—used for tax return submissions, assessments, and notices—result in timeouts or “service unavailable” errors.

What Is the IRIS System?

The IRIS (Integrated Risk Information System) is FBR’s digital platform to facilitate tax operations, automate procedures, and enhance transparency. It handles everything from tax filings and audits to notices and compliance workflows.

Also Read:IMF Questions Pakistan on Tax Shortfall and Pending Court Cases

What Users Are Reporting

Consistent login failures—users see “503 Service Unavailable” or similar errors.
Slow performance when parts of the portal load partially.
Delays in tax return submission and processing of notices.
Social media and forums lighting up with complaints from accountants, businesses, and individuals.

Why It Might Be Down

Routine maintenance or scheduled outages (though FBR hasn’t confirmed any).
Backend server issues, such as database overload or hardware failure.
Cyberattacks or DDoS targeting the platform.
Network connectivity problems in data centers.
Software bugs or unanticipated glitches in updates.

What FBR Has Said (or Not)

As of now, FBR has not issued a public statement confirming a system outage. Some users allege internal memos hint at maintenance, but nothing is official. The tax authority’s social media accounts and helplines are reportedly receiving queries, though response times remain slow.

What You Can Do as a Taxpayer

Try accessing IRIS during off-peak hours.
Clear browser cache or attempt a different browser.
Use a different network connection (mobile data vs office WiFi).
Keep logs/screenshots of error messages—useful for FBR support.
Contact your tax consultant or FBR helpline for updates.
Watch for any formal FBR notices or press releases.

When IRIS Is Restored

Once the system is back, expect a backlog of submissions, audits, and notices to flood in. FBR may also issue an official apology or statement explaining the disruption. Users should be prepared for delayed processing for a day or two.