FBR sends list of over 100 taxpayers to field formation

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has reportedly communicated a list of over 100 taxpayers to its field formation for aggressive tax recovery exercise in order to overcome a whopping revenue shortfall of over Rs 127 billion reported in the first half of current fiscal year; it is learnt here Thursday.
According to sources, the FBR has appeared panicky especially after witnessing a revenue shortfall of over Rs 127 billion in the first half of current fiscal year hence the list of over 100 taxpayers has been established to commence aggressive tax recovery exercise. In first six months of current fiscal year, the revenue collection of Rs 1466 billion was made as against the target of Rs 1593 billion, depicting a whopping revenue shortfall of over Rs 127 billion.
Keeping the said in view, the list of over 100 taxpayers has been made in haphazard manner because the board has also included non-resident companies in it, which the sources termed as sheer negligence of law. They said that the board had communicated the said list to its field formation and directed them to ensure tax recoveries at any cost. Therefore, the field officers despite realizing that it was against the law have no option but to start attaching the bank accounts for tax recoveries, dragging the taxpayers in a state of hysteria.
Meanwhile, Adnan Mufti confirmed that the FBR has initiated tax recovery exercise against non-resident companies, saying that board without fulfilling due procedure has also attached the bank accounts of non-resident companies. He further said that the issue came on surface when the withholding zone of regional tax office had issued tax recovery notice of Rs 1.5 million to the non-resident company and its bank accounts have later been attached without issuing recovery order or giving hearing opportunity.
When contacted, top tax official denied to have established the list of over 100 taxpayers for tax recoveries, saying that FBR did not communicate any list to its field formation. He also assured to inquire the matter and resolve the issue if any such practice being continued at tax departments across the country.