Getting Started
The FBR IRIS portal is the gateway to digital invoicing. This step-by-step guide walks you through registration, credential setup, and production deployment in 8 clear steps.
What is the FBR IRIS Portal?
IRIS stands for "Integrated Revenue Information System." It's the web portal provided by the Federal Board of Revenue that allows businesses to register for digital invoicing and manage their FBR compliance. The IRIS portal is the official government interface for all FBR digital invoicing activities.
All businesses participating in the FBR Digital Invoicing System must register through IRIS and obtain the necessary credentials to integrate with their invoicing software.
Pre-Registration Requirements
Before you can register with IRIS, ensure you have the following information and documents:
📋 Business Information
- National Tax Number (NTN) - if you have one
- Business registration certificate
- Complete business name and address
- Phone number and email address
- Business contact person's name
🏦 Banking Information
- Bank account details for tax payments
- Bank branch information
📍 Point of Sale Information
- Details of each location where you conduct business
- Address of each point of sale
- A unique identifier/code for each location
Step 1: Access the IRIS Portal
🌐 Portal URL: Visit https://e.fbr.gov.pk
🔐 Create Initial Account: The portal will have options to create a new account if you don't already have one. Click on "New User Registration" or similar option.
🛡️ Security Measures: The IRIS portal uses advanced security. You may need to verify your identity through SMS or email verification.
Step 2: Complete Business Registration
Business Profile: Enter your complete business information including:
- Business legal name
- Business type (sole proprietor, partnership, company, etc.)
- NTN or registration number
- Business address
- Contact information
Authorized Signatory: The FBR requires information about the person authorized to represent the business in digital invoicing matters. This is typically the business owner or a designated manager.
CNIC Information: The authorized signatory must provide their CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card) for verification purposes.
Step 3: Register Points of Sale (BPOS)
Business Point of Sale (BPOS): Each location where you conduct business must be registered as a separate point of sale. This includes:
- Physical retail stores
- Warehouses
- Service locations
- Manufacturing facilities
- Main office if goods/services are delivered from there
BPOS Identification: Each BPOS receives a unique identifier that you'll use when creating invoices. The identifier format is typically based on location and business type.
Address Details: For each BPOS, provide:
- Complete address
- Province/region
- City/town
- Postcode
Multiple Locations: If you have multiple locations, register each separately. This is important for accurate invoice tracking and compliance reporting.
Step 4: IP Whitelisting Registration
🔐 Security Requirement: The FBR requires that you register the IP addresses from which you will submit invoices. This is a security measure to prevent unauthorized access.
⏱️ Approval Process: After registering your IP address, FBR must approve it. This typically takes 2-48 hours. You cannot submit invoices until your IP is whitelisted and approved.
Finding Your IP Address:
- Asking your internet service provider
- Using online IP lookup tools
- Contacting your IT department if you have one
Static IP Requirement: Ideally, your business internet connection should use a static (unchanging) IP address. If you have a dynamic IP, the registration process is slightly different, and you may need to contact FBR support to update IP addresses when they change.
Step 5: Generate API Credentials
After your registration is approved, the IRIS portal generates security credentials:
✅ Security Credentials: Your invoicing software will use these to communicate with the FBR.
🔑 Bearer Token: A long-term security token (typically valid for 5 years) that authorizes your software to submit invoices on behalf of your business.
⚠️ Secure Storage: These credentials are extremely sensitive. Store them securely and never share them with anyone outside your organization.
🚨 If Compromised: Contact FBR immediately to revoke and regenerate them.
💼 Credential Management: Modern invoicing software like Tax It stores these credentials securely in the system and handles authentication automatically.
Step 6: Configure Your Invoicing Software
Software Setup: Once you have your IRIS credentials, configure your invoicing software (like Tax It) with:
- Your business NTN
- Your BPOS identifiers
- Your Bearer token/API credentials
- FBR API endpoints (sandbox for testing, production for live invoices)
Testing Phase: Most FBR systems provide a sandbox environment for testing before you start submitting real invoices. Use the sandbox to:
- Test the integration with your invoicing software
- Verify that invoices are formatted correctly
- Ensure that your point of sale information is correct
- Train your staff on the new system
Sandbox Invoices: Invoices submitted in sandbox are not real; they're test transactions. FBR discards them automatically.
Step 7: Begin Production Invoicing
Switching to Production: Once you're confident in your setup, switch to the production environment in your invoicing software.
First Real Invoice: Your first production invoice marks the beginning of real FBR compliance. Once submitted, it's recorded in the FBR system.
Monitoring: Monitor early invoices closely to ensure:
- Invoices are being submitted successfully
- FBR is returning invoice numbers and QR codes correctly
- QR codes are printing properly on physical invoices
- Staff understands the new process
Step 8: Ongoing Management
Reference Data Updates: The FBR periodically updates reference data (HS codes, provinces, etc.). Your invoicing software should automatically sync this data, or you may need to manually refresh it periodically.
Credential Rotation: Plan to rotate your security credentials periodically (annually is recommended). This is a security best practice.
Stay Informed: Monitor FBR communications for updates to requirements or procedures. Subscribe to FBR newsletters if available.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
IP Whitelisting Delays: If your IP isn't approved within 48 hours, contact FBR support. Approval can sometimes take longer during busy periods.
Credential Issues: If your credentials aren't working, verify that:
- They were entered correctly in your invoicing software
- Your IP address is whitelisted and approved
- Your credentials haven't expired
Invoice Rejection: If invoices are being rejected, check:
- All required fields are populated
- Customer information (NTN/CNIC) is valid
- HS codes are current and valid
- Amounts and calculations are correct
Support Resources
FBR Technical Support: The FBR provides technical support through:
- IRIS portal help documentation
- Email support (support email published on IRIS portal)
- Phone support (numbers available on FBR website)
Vendor Support: Your invoicing software vendor (like Tax It) can also provide support for system integration and troubleshooting.
Professional Assistance: If you need help with the entire IRIS registration process, tax consultants and accounting firms can assist.
Timeline and Expectations
The complete IRIS registration process typically takes 5-10 business days from start to finish:
- 📅 1-2 days: Account creation and verification
- 📋 1-2 days: Business registration review
- 🌐 2-48 hours: IP whitelisting approval
- 🔑 1-2 days: Credential generation and delivery
⏰ Delayed Registration: Some registrations may take longer due to document verification or security reviews. Plan accordingly if you have a specific deadline.
Conclusion
Connecting to the FBR IRIS portal is a straightforward process when you follow these steps systematically. The key is to:
- ✓ Have all required information ready
- ✓ Register all your points of sale accurately
- ✓ Configure your invoicing software correctly
Once connected, you'll be able to submit FBR-compliant invoices automatically. With a robust platform like Tax It, the IRIS integration is seamless and handled automatically, allowing you to focus on your business while staying fully compliant with FBR requirements.