Search 17 common IRIS errors by code, message, or symptom. Each entry names the cause and the exact fix - filing-season lifesaver when the portal keeps rejecting your submission.
OTP not receivedCause: The mobile SIM you're using is not registered against your CNIC in NADRA's Pakistan Mobile Database (PMD). FBR routes the OTP via the PMD-linked SIM only.
Login credentials invalidCause: Wrong password, or the account is locked after 3 failed attempts. IRIS locks for 15 minutes after 3 wrong attempts.
Registration for Unregistered Person failedCause: Either the mobile SIM isn't linked to your CNIC in NADRA PMD (most common), the email domain is blacklisted (some free email providers), or you already have an IRIS registration from before.
Employer NTN not foundCause: The 13-digit CNIC or 7-digit NTN you entered as employer doesn't match FBR's active taxpayer database. Common when HR gives you the wrong NTN or you type the CNIC of a partner instead of the company NTN.
Field 7089 requiredCause: You've entered assets and liabilities in the Wealth Statement but the Personal Expenses total (line 7089) is zero or blank. IRIS requires a positive number.
Section 149 WHT mismatchCause: The 'Salary WHT deducted' amount you entered doesn't match what your employer reported to FBR. IRIS cross-checks against the employer's Section 165 statement.
Section 154A field missingCause: Your PSEB registration is not valid for the tax year, or FBR's system hasn't synced your latest renewal. Only PSEB-registered exporters see the 0.25% final tax field.
Reconciliation exceeds thresholdCause: Your closing net wealth minus opening net wealth does not equal declared inflows minus outflows. Gap above roughly PKR 500,000 triggers this validation.
Draft status after submitCause: IRIS silently failed the submission. Usually a required field is missing, or the session timed out (15 minutes idle) and 'Submit' saved as draft without server-side confirmation.
Wealth Statement not submittedCause: You submitted the Return (114) but forgot the Wealth Statement (116) - IRIS treats them as separate submissions each with its own Submit button.
Digital signature requiredCause: Companies filing Form 115 need a valid digital signature certificate issued by NIFT.
Return already filedCause: You already submitted a return for this tax year. IRIS won't accept a second submission for the same year.
CPR not applicableCause: You entered a Computerised Payment Receipt number, but IRIS doesn't recognise it as matching this taxpayer / tax year. Common when CPR was created for a different tax year or wrong PSID.
Amount payable > PKR 0Cause: Your computation shows tax payable, but no CPR has been attached. IRIS refuses to submit a return with unpaid tax.
Session expiredCause: IRIS logs you out after 15 minutes of inactivity. Any unsaved changes on the current tab are lost.
Tax year selector missingCause: IRIS opens the tax year for filing only after the year ends (1 July onwards for individuals). If it's missing after that date, browser cache is stale.
Portal down / 502Cause: FBR server overloaded or under maintenance. Extremely common in the final 72 hours before 30 September.
90% of IRIS errors trace to one of three causes: mobile SIM not registered on your CNIC in NADRA's Pakistan Mobile Database (blocks OTP - so no login, no registration); the wealth statement not reconciling (line 703000 gap too large); or tax payable greater than zero without a matching CPR attached. Fix those three categories and most other errors dissolve.
When IRIS returns a genuine system error (portal down, 502, session expired mid-form), the practical play is to try again outside peak hours. Overnight (midnight to 6 AM PKT) is materially faster than daytime, especially in the last 72 hours before 30 September. Screenshot every failure with a visible timestamp - that record is useful evidence if you later need to argue for a late-filing penalty waiver.