Federal Tax Ombudsmen, Dr Shoaib Suddle has informed business community that Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) office will soon introduce online complaints registration system. Speaking at a meeting of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) here on Thursday, he said that computerised complaints registration system would have facility to monitor progress on the registered complaints.
Suddle advised business community to get benefit from the Federal Tax Ombudsman Office in Pakistan. "The Ombudsman is empowered to investigate complaints on grounds of issuance of repeated notices and deliberate prolonged hearings to harass the taxpayers," he added.
He said that the FTO had powers to take suo motu action and cease records if required. "I will do my best to identify, examine and redress/correct injustices done with taxpayers by those responsible for administering tax laws such as Custom, Income Tax, Federal Excise and sale tax.
He was of the view that Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) should establish a credible complaints resolution system. Dr Shoaib Suddle said that every government department was corrupt and FBR topped the list. "If we succeed to reform and restructure only the FBR, corruption will decrease considerably," he opined.
He advised KCCI to activate its research department and conduct research about good tax-related practices prevailing in different countries and prepare a report. "The reports should be sent to me for consideration and later I will send the same to higher authorities with my recommendations for consideration and implementation," he added.
Replying to a complaint regarding shipping sector, Dr Suddle said that shipping lines case was already under examination and asked business community not to make payments without obtaining proper receipt to any shipping agent.
Referring to Afghan Transit Trade (ATT), Suddle said that system to track containers' movement would be introduced soon. "The system will be based on GPRS and it will not only monitor containers but also movements of goods and the drives," he added. To a question about Rs 50 billion stuck-up refund cases, he assured that the cases would be considered and refunds would be made as per the law.
Dr Suddle noted that tax to GDP ratio was 13.9 percent in 1987, which declined to 8.7 percent at present instead of increasing. He advised business community to discharge their liabilities honestly. He said that FTO received 1450 complaints per annum on average. As many as 1261 cases were decided last year, adding that most of the cases were decided in favour of business community. President KCCI, Saeed Shaifq expressed concerns over exorbitant charges of shipping agents, stuck up refund claims, declining industrial and export activities and deteriorating law and order situation.
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