The Federal Board of Revenue’s IRIS system has crashed, significantly hindering citizens’ ability to file their income tax returns.
Reports indicate that the system has been non-operational for the past two hours, leaving many taxpayers unable to submit their returns as the deadline approaches.
With the September 30 deadline looming, frustration is mounting among filers who are facing technical difficulties. Many individuals are now calling for an extension of the deadline, citing the challenges caused by the system’s failure.
Just yesterday, tax experts had predicted that an extension for filing income tax returns for the 2024 tax year—originally set for September 30—might be granted by the FBR.
They pointed out the requirements outlined in Section 118, which state that both individuals and associations of persons (AOPs), as well as companies with fiscal year-ends between July 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023, must comply with this deadline.
On September 22, the FBR had reaffirmed that the deadline for filing income tax returns would not be extended, urging all taxpayers to submit their returns by the specified date. This firm stance from the FBR has only added to the anxiety surrounding the system’s current failure.
As taxpayers await the restoration of the IRIS system, concerns are growing about the impact on compliance rates and the overall efficiency of the tax filing process.
If the system remains down, the FBR may need to reconsider its position on extending the deadline to accommodate affected taxpayers. The situation is evolving, and many are closely monitoring how the FBR will respond to these challenges.
