ISLAMABAD: Taxpayers are once again facing difficulties with the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) online portal, IRIS, as users report frequent outages and technical issues. Screenshots circulating on social media and sent to news outlets show the portal displaying an “You are currently offline” error message. This is despite users having stable internet connections, indicating a server-side problem with the FBR’s system itself.
The latest issues come at a critical time, with various tax filing deadlines looming. This has led to mounting frustration among taxpayers, tax consultants, and businesses who rely on the portal for critical compliance tasks. The sporadic nature of the outages makes it difficult to file returns and statements, creating a climate of uncertainty and stress.
No timelime for resolution has been given by FBR.
The Looming Deadline Challenge
Historically, the IRIS portal has been known to slow down or crash completely as filing deadlines draw near, a direct result of a massive influx of users trying to submit their documents at the last minute. This year appears to be no different, with these early-stage issues serving as a stark warning of what’s to come.
Tax professionals are advising clients to not wait for the eleventh hour. “The FBR’s system is notoriously unreliable under heavy load,” stated a tax consultant from a prominent firm. “If you wait until the last few days, you’re not just risking technical glitches, you’re almost guaranteeing them. It’s a race against the clock and a fragile system.”
A Call for Proactive Compliance
Given the current situation, taxpayers are strongly urged to begin their compliance processes immediately. Gathering necessary documents, calculating liabilities, and preparing returns should be a priority. Instead of waiting for a stable window close to the deadline, taxpayers should aim to complete their filings well in advance. This approach not only mitigates the risk of system failures but also allows for ample time to address any potential issues or errors in their submissions.
This recurring problem highlights the need for a more robust and scalable IT infrastructure for the FBR. While the FBR has made efforts to modernize its systems, these frequent outages suggest that the current setup is not yet equipped to handle peak traffic loads.
In the meantime, the best strategy for all taxpayers is proactive compliance. By filing early, you can avoid the inevitable frustration, save valuable time, and ensure you meet your legal obligations without succumbing to the technical failures that are likely to worsen as the deadline approaches.
