Regional Commissioner of Income Tax (RCIT), Eastern Region Lahore, Haji Ahmed on Thursday briefed a delegation of Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WCCI) on various tax related matters, especially the initiatives taken by the government concerning tax facilitation of the taxpayers.
Led by WCCI head Dr Shehla Javed Akram, the delegation was comprised of Tahira Naseem, Naila Qasim, Rukiya Mahdi, Neera Farhat, Qaisera Shaikh, Shahrukh Jehangir and Jacqueline Tressler. Additional Commissioner of Income Tax Mian Munawar Ghafoor assisted the RCIT.
The tax officials gave satisfactory answers of the queries raised by the businesswomen and told them that how the tax officials were assisting and facilitating the taxpayer's community. Haji Ahmed apprised them how to get themselves registered and get their NTNs.
He also informed them about the broadening of tax base and benefits of Universal Self Assessment Scheme. He said that one Commissioner of Income Tax has been assigned responsibility of broadening the tax base, which is a major challenge for the government.
"Our vision is to optimise revenue by providing quality service to taxpayers and thereby promoting a true tax culture. Our mission is enhancing the capabilities of tax system, collecting due taxes through application of modern techniques and providing assistance to taxpayers. Professionalism, team work, courtesy, fairness are our values," he said.
He also briefed them on tax administration reforms programme and NTN requirements for individuals, association of persons, limited companies and other categories and replied their queries in this regard. He told them that NTN is issued within 72 hours and computerised national identity card is a compulsory requirement for getting an NTN.
Highlighting the benefits of having NTN, Haji Ahmed said it will enable them to contribute towards national exchequer, providing social services to public at large. Talking about the advantages of documentation of economy, he urged the participants to do all their transactions through cheques.
The businesswomen on this occasion apprised the RCIT of their concerns especially the harassment and blackmailing they usually faced at the hands of the lower staff of the tax departments. The RCIT told them that under the new system no official of income tax department could visit the business premises. He called upon the participants to inform the income tax authorities in case of any complaint in this regard.
To a question of a businesswoman, Haji Ahmed said that at present tax exemption limit was Rs 100,000, but the government was considering giving more concessions to women entrepreneurs. Proposal of a uniform tax rate for exporters was also under consideration of the government, he told them.
One of the participants proposed to the RCIT to establish a 24-hour helpline for registration of complaints about the tax officials. About the filing of tax returns, he said that every person/company has to file return where taxable income exceeds Rs 100,000, one who was charged to tax in two preceding years, one who claims loss and those who own immovable properly of 250 sq yards were liable to file their returns.
About the Universal Self-assessment Scheme (USAS) and its voluntary compliance, the RCIT said under it, taxpayers have to fill their returns by themselves and acknowledgement of a return will be considered as an assessment order. As far as audit is concerned, so far no audit is being conducted and the returns are accepted without any condition.
However, a certain percentage of the returns will be audited in the coming years on the basis of specific information. In case of any discrepancy, last five years record will be checked. Upon this a participant proposed this exercise should be on year to year basis.
The participants were also briefed on e-fling of returns and said that so far it was optional; however, it was a mandatory requirement in case of sales tax.
Dr Shehla Javed Akram apprised the RCIT that computer literacy rate among the businesswomen was 65 percent.
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