Karachi, July 22, 2025 – The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has officially launched the income tax return filing portal for Tax Year 2025 — but not without complications. According to Ali A. Rahim, President of the Karachi Tax Bar Association (KTBA), taxpayers are encountering a wave of technical issues that are hampering the filing process.
Speaking to PkRevenue.com, Rahim revealed that although the FBR initiated the process by issuing draft return forms through SRO 1213(I)/2025 on July 7, the finalized return forms have yet to be officially notified. Despite this, the return filing portal was opened prematurely, leading to confusion and operational difficulties.
“Yes, the return filing portal is now accessible — technically — but many of our members are struggling with glitches that are making it nearly impossible to fulfill tax obligations effectively,” Rahim said.
A primary concern raised by the KTBA revolves around login problems with the IRIS system, particularly due to the QR code authentication method introduced by the FBR. While the new security protocol is well-intentioned, Rahim noted that it poses significant hurdles for taxpayers and professionals alike.
“Sending QR codes only to the registered mobile number sounds secure, but it’s proving highly impractical,” he explained. The issues include:
1. Overseas taxpayers unable to receive Pakistan-originated SMS.
2. Corporate cases where the registered mobile is with an unavailable director or authorized officer.
3. Authorized representatives, such as e-intermediaries and consultants, unable to access client accounts despite legal authority.
To mitigate these challenges, Rahim shared practical solutions already proposed by the KTBA to the FBR:
• Enable e-Intermediary Functionality: Activate and streamline provisions under Section 52A of the Sales Tax Act and relevant income tax rules to grant authorized intermediaries full access to client tax data and filing capabilities.
• Triple-Channel QR Delivery: Allow QR codes to be delivered via SMS, WhatsApp, and email simultaneously to ensure universal access — especially for overseas taxpayers.
• Corporate Multi-User Access: Permit multiple compliance officers access to IRIS using unique credentials tied to a business’s NTN to maintain continuity in compliance.
Rahim confirmed that KTBA is compiling a list of persistent errors and will soon send formal recommendations to the FBR for immediate resolution. Until then, taxpayers are advised to proceed cautiously and stay updated through their tax consultants.