FBR's new payment system eliminates need for taxpayers to visit banks

• System guided by govt's vision to modernise tax infrastructure.
• New system would eliminate need for physical bank visits.
• It marks significant advancement in revenue management.

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Wednesday introduced a new payment creation system which would enable secure, efficient, and user-friendly online payments for taxpayers, eliminating the need to visit bank physically. 

The tax-collecting authority, in a statement, said that the system was guided by the government's vision to modernise Pakistan's tax infrastructure.

"FBR is reinforcing its commitment to advancing tax administration and enhancing revenue collection through advanced digital solutions," it said, adding that the system, named ePayment 2.0, is available within the IRIS 2.0 portal. 

The system would be accessible directly from taxpayers' bank accounts via internet banking, ATMs, and mobile banking, eliminating the need for physical bank visits. 

ePayment 2.0 marks a significant advancement in revenue management, covering a wide range of taxes, including income tax, sales tax, federal excise duty, and withholding taxes, said the FBR. 

The authority highlighted that the taxpayers used a separate ePayment system outside IRIS 2.0 previously, requiring them to switch between portals. However, the FBR has now provided a unified and improved user interface accessible directly within IRIS 2.0.

"By generating a unique Payment Slip ID (PSID), it enables quick and convenient payments for both registered and unregistered taxpayers. Upon payment completion, a computerised payment receipt (CPR) is issued via email and SMS, providing official confirmation and easy access for future use within the IRIS 2.0 system," said the statement. 

The statement also said that through a secure, precise multi-step workflow, the system allows taxpayers to generate a PSID, complete payment through ADC channels and receive a CPR in real-time, accessible for future compliance needs within IRIS. 

"To enhance transparency and accountability, it includes comprehensive PSID search feature, allowing taxpayers to easily retrieve and confirm payment records. This level of automation and integration minimises errors and delays, significantly improving the tax payment experience and supporting FBR’s vision for a business-friendly compliant tax environment," it highlighted.