Advisory body set up to facilitate taxpayers

In order to create a better tax culture and cordial working relationship between tax men and taxpayers the Income Tax Companies Zone-V, Corporate Region, Karachi, has constituted a 'tax advisory committee'.
The committee includes Khalid Siddiqui, Commissioner of Income Tax, Sartaj Yousaf, Additional Commissioner, Shoaib Sethi, Additional Commissioner, Shakeel Kasana, Deputy Commissioner, Captain Tariq Subhan, Member, Managing Committee FPCCI, Syed Khalid Shah, Chairman, All Private Schools Management Association, Sindh, Naeem Ahmad Khan Malik, Chairman, Flour Mills Association, Sindh, and Zafar Iqbal Sobani, Director Finance, Century Paper & Board Mills Ltd.
The committee held its first meeting at the office of Khalid Siddiqui, Commissioner of Income tax, recently.
The agenda of the meeting included 'New Income Tax Ordinance & Rules', new policy on issuance of exemption certificates under section 148 & 153 to facilitate taxpayers, prompt issuance of refunds, and pending assessment related matters.
The members of the committee had thorough discussions on all agenda points. Khalid Siqqidui said that development of any country has a direct correlation with her people's sense of responsibility regarding tax payments.
He said that the core issue is to resolve any doubts in public minds about their responsibilities and rights in this regard. "We have formed this committee for this very purpose and if there is any provision to make tax matters more simplified and friendly, your suggestions in this regard shall be highly appreciated and shall definitely be considered and implemented if found workable."
He assured the members that prompt issuance of refunds shall be made possible by all means and in this regard he provided a list of '477' private schools to Syed Khalid Shah and assured him that as soon as the taxpayers who have claimed refunds as per their income tax returns apply for it, the same shall be issued at the earliest.
He thanked the members of the committee and appealed to file their proposals in writing in the next meeting.
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks, and all members of the committee appreciated this effort on the part of the department and said that this kind of meetings would go a long way in cultivating cordial and friendly tax culture in the country.-PR