The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) may continue desk audit of the units beyond six months in case the analysis of sales tax returns pertaining to this period gives the desired results. Official sources told Business Recorder on Wednesday that out of total sales tax collection of Rs 219 billion during 2003-04, the total audit-based detection was Rs 4-5 billion, which is hardly 2-3 percent of total sales tax collection.
This performance of audit authorities clearly reflects that a very nominal amount was recovered on the basis of sales tax audit.
There is no mechanism to bifurcate collection through voluntary compliance and through fraud-based detection. If the tax voluntarily paid by the registered persons is excluded from the total amount, the audit-detection figure may further move downward.
Officials said that the desk audit has been launched for a period of six-months on experimental basis. The CBR will see the results of the audit and if the outcome of desk audit shows the desire results, the CBR may continue to conduct desk audit of units beyond the period of six months. However, the final decision would be taken after analysing the results of desk audit.
The reason given to the collectors of sales tax and central excise for the suspension of sales tax audit by the CBR Member Audit was the allegation of harassment, malpractice, corruption and inefficiency of the sales tax auditors and senior auditors.
Comments
Comments are closed.