Where Purchase Invoices Are Managed in IRIS
IRIS’s Invoice Management module lets you add and manage purchase invoice data year-round – both from registered sellers (via STWH withholding invoices) and unregistered sellers – without needing to have a Sales Tax return already open. This is a real improvement over the old e.fbr portal, where you had to create the return first before adding purchase invoices under Annex-A.
Step 1: Open Invoice Management
From your IRIS dashboard, go to “Invoice Management” in the mega menu and select “Sales Ledger.” This opens the Sales Tax Invoice Management section with a set of filters to search existing invoice records.
Step 2: Add a New Purchase Invoice
Click “Add Invoice” under the domestic transactions section. In the invoice details window, select the “Purchases” radio option.
Step 3: Enter the Seller’s Registration Number or CNIC
IRIS automatically verifies the CNIC against NADRA and FBR records to determine the seller’s taxpayer type – Registered or Unregistered. If the CNIC verifies through NADRA but doesn’t match an FBR registration, IRIS treats the seller as unregistered. Note: to add a purchase invoice under the “Cotton Ginner” category, the seller specifically must be registered for Sales Tax.
Step 4: Select the Invoice Type
Choose “Purchase Invoice” from the dropdown for a standard purchase, or “STWH” if you’re recording a withholding invoice. IRIS adjusts the form fields based on which type you select.
Step 5: Fill in Purchase Details and Add Items
Enter the required invoice data and select the applicable Purchase Type from the dropdown. IRIS then enables the item-details section matching your selected purchase type – add the item’s details and click “Save Item.” Saved items appear under “Item(s) List,” where you can edit or delete them. You can repeat this to add multiple items against the same invoice, since the invoice-level details stay filled in until you click “Clear” to start a fresh invoice.
Step 6: Close and Confirm
Click “Close” to exit the invoice details window – IRIS returns you to the domestic transactions list, where your saved invoice now appears alongside any existing records, filterable using the available search fields.
Step 7: Claim the Invoice in Your Return
Every purchase and STWH invoice you’ve entered through Invoice Management automatically shows up under Annex-A (Purchases) once you create a Sales Tax Return for that period – including invoices from third parties already in the system. If you created your return before adding the invoice, just click “Load Invoices” inside Annex-A to pull it in.
Common Mistakes We See With Purchase Invoices
- Waiting until the return is open to add purchase invoices. In IRIS, you don’t need to – invoices can be added to Invoice Management at any time, which makes it much easier to keep records current throughout the month instead of scrambling at filing time.
- Selecting the wrong Purchase Type, which can change which fields IRIS expects and how the item is treated in your return.
- Not verifying the seller’s registration status before entering the invoice – if NADRA verification flags a mismatch, double-check the CNIC or registration number before proceeding, since it affects how the purchase is categorized.
FAQ
Do I need an open Sales Tax return to add a purchase invoice?
No – invoices can be added through Invoice Management at any time. They’ll automatically appear under Annex-A once you create a return for the relevant period.
What’s the difference between a Purchase Invoice and an STWH invoice?
A standard Purchase Invoice records tax paid on a purchase from a registered or unregistered seller. STWH specifically records a withholding invoice, with fields IRIS adjusts accordingly.
What happens if the seller’s CNIC doesn’t match FBR’s records?
If NADRA verifies the CNIC but it doesn’t exist in FBR’s registration records, IRIS treats the seller as unregistered for that invoice.
