ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has started offering Tajir Asan registration through the IRIS 2.0 portal, allowing new taxpayers to register under the simplified tax regime directly through the FBR’s online system.
The new registration option is currently available for new taxpayers only. The updated IRIS registration screen provides a dedicated pathway for taxpayers seeking registration under the Tajir Asan framework.
The development is expected to make registration easier for small traders and shopkeepers who are eligible for the simplified regime. FBR has already been pursuing registration of traders under the Tajir Asan initiative, including through field-level registration campaigns.
At the same time, FBR has also made changes to the regular taxpayer registration process on IRIS. The revised registration interface requires taxpayers to go through an updated sequence of information and verification steps before completing registration.
The latest changes, however, have created considerable difficulties for taxpayers, tax practitioners and consultants who are trying to register clients or update their work on the newly modified IRIS system.
Users have reported repeated technical difficulties during the transition, with the portal experiencing interruptions and changes to different functions. FBR’s official website confirms that IRIS is the platform through which taxpayers are e-enrolled and receive their NTN or registration number and credentials.
The problems have become particularly frustrating for consultants because the IRIS system has already undergone maintenance and significant changes in recent days. While maintenance can be necessary for implementing system upgrades, users have complained that disruptions and failures often occur at regular intervals, sometimes without sufficient advance communication.
For tax consultants handling registrations and compliance work for multiple clients, such interruptions can result in delays, repeated data entry and difficulty completing time-sensitive assignments.
The introduction of Tajir Asan registration is nevertheless an important development because it brings the trader registration process directly into the country’s main online tax system. The new feature can be accessed through the new taxpayer registration process rather than being used by taxpayers who already have an existing IRIS registration.
FBR’s broader online registration system provides e-enrollment for individuals, companies and associations of persons, with individuals generally using their 13-digit CNIC as their registration/NTN number.
Taxpayers and consultants should therefore carefully check whether they are applying as a new taxpayer under Tajir Asan or using the regular registration route, as the available options and registration process may differ.
The latest IRIS changes indicate that FBR is continuing to shift taxpayer registration and compliance processes toward a more integrated digital platform. However, the frequent technical issues during system changes highlight the need for better testing, stability and timely communication with taxpayers and tax professionals.
