MA Rashid.
FAISALABAD: Decline in tax related complaints has been recorded due to the suo moto notices of Federal Tax Ombudsman Dr. Asif Mahmood Jah, said Dr. Muhammad Akram Khan Advisor/In-charge Regional Secretariat of the FTO Faisalabad. Addressing a meeting in Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI), he said that the office of FTO was established in 2000 and its regional secretariat in Faisalabad is working for the last ten years. He said that despite the best efforts of the FTO, there still exists distrust among the taxpayers and the tax collectors. He said that FTO has so far settled 14, 319 complaints while tax refunds of Rs. 27 billion were also made. He said that despite being the most effective available forum of FTO, the taxpayers are still reluctant to lodge complaints against the tax officials. He clarified that FTO cannot intervene in the policy related matters but the issues of maladministration fall within its mandate. He said that Dr. Asif Mahmood Jah visited Faisalabad and other chambers of the country immediately after taking over the charge of FTO. “He reinvigorated this office through his dynamism and proactive approach”, said Dr. Muhammad Akram Khan and added that on his special directive FTO desks have been established at airports and border crossings to redress the complaints there and then. A documentary on FTO was also screened while Dr. Akrm Khan also responded to the questions asked by the participants of the meeting.
Earlier Mr. Atif Munir Sheikh President FCCI appreciated the role of FTO and said that during his last visit to Faisalabad he had announced to include FCCI in the advisory board of the FTO and he has so far attended two meetings of the advisory board as an ex-officio member of the FCCI. He said that on the directive of FTO, its help desk has also been established in FCCI which would facilitate our 8,000 members. President FCCI however expressed concern on the illegal notices issued by the FBR to the business community. He said that we all know that the tax chain is still incomplete and hence FBR must complete this chain and introduce a fix-tax system for the time being in addition to withdrawing the mandatory condition of producing CNIC. He said that non tax payers have no right to enjoy the government facilities but the department has itself opened a back door channel by segregating filers from non-filers. He said that sometimes the FBR becomes personal on the complaints filed with the FTO. “Because of this attitude taxpayers are generally reluctant to lodge complaints with the FTO ”, he said and added that the taxpayers must feel and enjoy the gentleness of FTO whereas the FBR should be afraid of it.
A question answer session was also held which was participated by Mr. Shakeel Ahmad Ansari, Chaudhry Khadim Hussain Mann, Haji Abdul Rauf and Mian Abdul Waheed.
Later Former Senior Vice President Chaudhary Talat Mahmood offered vote of thanks while President Atif Munir Sheikh along with Talat Mahmood and Haji Gulzar Ahmad presented FCCI shield to Dr. Muhammad Akram Khan Advisor/In-charge FTO Secretariat Faisalabad.
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