RCCI cites IRIS portal slowdowns and limited banking access as it calls for an immediate extension to the September 30 filing deadline.
RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) has urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to extend the Tax Year 2026 income tax return filing deadline, citing severe technical glitches and slowdowns on the online IRIS portal.
In a statement issued on Sunday, RCCI President Usman Shaukat said taxpayers, tax practitioners and business owners were facing significant difficulties in submitting their returns as the September 30 deadline approaches.
Heavy traffic slows FBR IRIS portal
Shaukat said the high volume of traffic on the FBR’s IRIS portal during the final days of the filing period had resulted in prolonged processing times and operational delays.
According to the RCCI president, taxpayers were experiencing difficulties uploading and submitting financial records, creating additional stress and administrative backlogs at a critical stage of the filing process.
He said the technical problems were affecting taxpayers’ ability to fulfil their statutory obligations within the prescribed deadline.
Banking closures add to taxpayers’ difficulties
The RCCI president also highlighted another operational constraint, pointing out that banking channels and financial institutions remain closed on Saturdays.
Shaukat said the limited availability of banking services, combined with technical problems affecting the FBR’s online system, was making it increasingly difficult for taxpayers and businesses to complete the return filing process smoothly.
The combination of portal slowdowns and limited banking access has added further pressure on taxpayers attempting to meet the filing deadline.
RCCI seeks immediate deadline extension
Shaukat urged the tax authorities to grant an immediate extension to the September 30 deadline, arguing that taxpayers should be provided with adequate time to complete and submit their returns.
He said extending the deadline would facilitate compliance and help prevent taxpayers from facing penalties because of circumstances beyond their control.
The RCCI called on the FBR to take the prevailing technical and operational difficulties into account before enforcing the existing filing deadline, particularly as taxpayers and tax practitioners continue to encounter problems accessing and using the IRIS portal.