How to Use FBR’s Updated Portal to Actually Claim Your Withholding Tax Refund

Many Pakistanis pay withholding tax all year without realizing they may be able to claim part of it back.

Banks deduct tax on profit. Telecom companies deduct advance tax. Employers deduct salary tax. Property, vehicle registration, cash withdrawals, electricity bills, dividends, and other transactions can also create withholding tax records in FBR’s system.

The problem is simple: paying withholding tax does not automatically mean FBR will send you a refund. You must file your income tax return correctly, show that the refundable amount exists, and then submit a separate refund application through IRIS.

Here is the practical step-by-step process.

First, Understand What Can Be Refunded

Withholding tax is usually an advance tax deducted at the time of a transaction. However, not every withholding tax is treated the same. FBR says some withholding deductions are adjustable against your final tax liability, while others may be treated as final discharge depending on the relevant section of the Income Tax Ordinance.

That means your refund depends on three things:

• Your total income for the tax year
• Your actual tax liability
• How much adjustable withholding tax was deducted

If your adjustable withholding tax is higher than your actual tax liability, the excess can become refundable.

Step 1: Log Into FBR IRIS

Go to the IRIS portal and log in with your CNIC/NTN and password. FBR confirms that income tax returns are filed online through IRIS, and first-time filers must register before filing.

Once inside, select the relevant tax year. For most individuals, the tax year covers income from July 1 to June 30.

Step 2: Check Your Withholding Data

Before filing the return, check what FBR already knows about you.

FBR says withholding tax information is available through the Maloomat portal or inside IRIS by opening the Tax Payments tab under the MIS link.

FBR’s Maloomat system displays data from third parties and FBR’s own sources, including withholding data, vehicles, properties, travel, debit and credit transactions, and education expenses.

This is important because many taxpayers lose refunds by manually entering wrong figures or missing deductions that already exist in FBR’s database.

Step 3: Match FBR Data With Your Own Records

Do not rely blindly on the portal.

Download or note your withholding entries and compare them with:

• Salary certificate from employer
• Bank tax certificates
• Mobile/internet tax details
• Vehicle registration tax receipts
• Property purchase/sale tax challans
• Dividend or profit certificates
• CPRs and PSIDs

If any withholding tax is missing from IRIS, ask the withholding agent — employer, bank, registrar, telecom company, or other deducting authority — to correct or upload the record.

Step 4: File Your Income Tax Return Correctly

This is the most important step.

FBR clearly states that an income tax refund can only be claimed if the person has filed an income tax return electronically. A manual return does not entitle the taxpayer to a refund.

In your return, enter your income, deductions, tax credits, and withholding tax details carefully. When the calculation is complete, the refund amount must be clearly reflected in your IRIS return. FBR specifically says the refund amount should be visible in the income tax return before it can be claimed.

If your return shows “tax payable” instead of “refund,” you do not have a refund claim yet.

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Step 5: Submit a Separate Refund Application

This is where many people make the mistake.

Filing the return is not enough.

FBR says a refund resulting from an income tax return must be claimed by filing a separate application in IRIS.

After submitting your return, go to the application section in IRIS and create an income tax refund application for the relevant tax year. Enter the refund amount exactly as reflected in your filed return and attach supporting documents where needed.

Step 6: Update Your IBAN in IRIS

FBR has moved toward centralized online payment of refunds. Taxpayers are advised to update their IRIS profile and add their complete bank IBAN in the bank account details section to receive Sales Tax, FED, and Income Tax refunds electronically.

The IBAN should belong to the same taxpayer. If your bank details are wrong, outdated, or under another person’s name, refund processing can be delayed.

Step 7: Track the Refund

After submission, keep checking IRIS for notices, objections, or status updates. FBR also says taxpayers can check the status of refund applications through the relevant Regional Tax Office.

Respond quickly if FBR asks for documents. Delayed replies can slow down the refund or cause rejection.

Do Not Miss the Two-Year Window

FBR allows the refund to be claimed later after submission of the return, but within two years from the date of filing the return or from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later.

Also, late filers face a disadvantage. FBR states that people filing returns after the due date are not entitled to refund during the period they are not included in the Active Taxpayer List.

Final Checklist

Before claiming your refund, make sure:

• Your IRIS return is submitted electronically
• Refund appears in the final tax calculation
• Withholding data matches your certificates
• Separate refund application is filed
• IBAN is updated in IRIS
• You respond to any FBR notice on time

FAQs

Can I claim withholding tax without filing a return?
No. FBR says refunds can only be claimed after filing an electronic income tax return.

Is every withholding tax refundable?
No. Some withholding taxes are adjustable, while others may be final, depending on the tax section.

Where can I see my withholding tax data?
Check IRIS under MIS → Tax Payments, or use FBR’s Maloomat portal.

How long do I have to claim a refund?
Generally, within two years from the return filing date or tax payment date, whichever is later.

Do I need to add my IBAN?
Yes. FBR requires updated IBAN details in IRIS for online refund payment.