Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanism has greatly helped in resolving the disputes between taxpayers and Central Board of Revenue (CBR) as a major number of cases pending with the Board for a long time have been disposed of since the introduction of this system.
"Being a cheap and quicker mode of dispute resolution, the system is a paradigm shift in the working of CBR and is part of restructuring and reform process presently undergoing in tax administration", speakers observed at a workshop on 'Alternative Dispute Resolution' on Monday.
The workshop was organised by Regional Commissioner of Income Tax at the Regional Tax Office, Corporate Region Karachi.
Member, Legal, CBR, Mumtaz Sheikh, said that alternative dispute resolution is part of a lot of work being done in CBR to improve tax administration and facilitate taxpayers by giving them an opportunity to out of court settle tax related disputes.
"It is meant for reducing the litigation and to create a business-friendly environment," he said, and added that a majority of tax related disputes had been disposed of through alternative dispute resolution committees.
Mansoor Ali Shah, Advocate, called the alternative dispute resolution system a leap change in the working of CBR, having provided a quicker way to taxpayers to settle their disputes with the tax collectors.
However, he said, "there are some issues and challenges, which need to be looked into to make this system more vibrant for the facilitation of taxpayers".
He underlined the need for changing the old mindset, which "is still haunting" this new mechanism, and stressed for creating awareness about it.
Also highlighting various other aspects of ADR, he emphasised the need for training and capacity building of tax officials involved in ADR.
He, however, called the ADR system a welcome change, and urged that taxpayers must capitalise on this opportunity.
A former president the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) and chairman of ADR sales tax termed ADR a step in the right direction and hoped that it would contribute to promote the commercial activities by facilitating business community.
He commended the holding of ADR workshop and said that it would be providing a best forum for exchange of views about ADR.
Regional Commissioner of Income Tax Corporate Region Karachi Abrar Ahmed said that ADR was a result-oriented system to facilitate the taxpayers and had yielded tremendous results so far.
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