Notices to undocumented persons: services of Pakistan Post hired for quick delivery

In a new move to expedite issuance of notices to un-documented persons, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued 3,000 notices through Pakistan Post, ensuring that 6000 notices to be served by end October 31, 2013.
Sources told Business Recorder here on Thursday that the FBR has taken a new step to hire Express Post - urgent mail courier service - for delivery of notices to far-flung areas where private courier companies are delaying the delivery. Pakistan Post is delivering notices at the declared addresses of the un-registered persons in out of service areas. The services of Pakistan Post have been hired to ensure speedy delivery of notices to the un-documented persons in view of poor performance of the existing courier company.
The step has been taken to hire Pakistan Post after review of policy to expedite the process of serving notices to un-documented persons.
The FBR has seen the performance of the courier company previously engaged in issuance of the notices to the potential persons. Keeping in view the performance of the courier company, the FBR can review its contract or hire more courier companies in this regard.
Out of 3,000 notices issued through Pakistan Post, so far it has confirmed delivery of over 1300 notices whereas 530 notices remained undelivered. The delivery confirmation of rest of the notices need to be done by the company.
So far the FBR has sent 32,000 notices to potential non-filers during first quarter of 2013-14 whereas issuance of 6000 notices by end of current month has been ensured. The FBR is also taking stock of the situation and 100,000 notices would be sent till June 2014. It was an on-going exercise against potential non-filers which would not be halted at any cost.
Sources said that the FBR has decided to start provisional assessment of potential persons under Income Tax Ordinance 2001 to whom notices have been served by Commissioner broadening the tax-base under the recent exercise of documentation. The provisional assessment would be started after 30 days of the receipt of notices to the potential persons under Income Tax Ordinance 2001. After issuance of over 32,000 notices to the potential persons, the board is in a position to start the process of provisional assessment.