Taxpayers' grievances: web-based Complaint Handling System being set up

Federal Tax Ombudsman, Dr Shoaib Suddle has said too much concentration of power in the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) gives birth to corruption. Speaking at Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) here on Saturday, he said that a Web-based Complaint Handling System is being set up at the office of Tax Ombudsman shortly to address taxpayers' grievances efficiently. The FBR has provided relief to taxpayers, he added.
Dr Suddle said the Tax Ombudsman office provides relief against unjust taxation by the tax collectors. "It is, however, not an office to facilitate tax evaders," he clarified. He said that in some cases the tax collectors need powers to nab tax evaders and they need a free hand. He regretted that tax compliance in Pakistan is very low.
Dr Suddle said that the misuse of discretion by tax collectors is often not reported and urged the businessmen to raise their voice against such malpractices when the services of Tax Ombudsman are available for them.
The office of Tax Ombudsman is working on two principles; firstly, the justice must be inexpensive and secondly it should be delivered expeditiously. In view of this, a maximum focus is being paid to resolution of the matters instead of their disposal. As many as 1500 to 1600 complaints are received every year and out of that total 80 percent end up in the favour of complainants, which represent the inefficiency of tax machinery, he said.
Dr Suddle said that concerted efforts are needed on the part of FBR to alleviate the sufferings and agony of taxpayers. There should be separation of powers and multiple functions should not be performed. He said that the functions of Ombudsman's office needed to be spread in all corners of the country so that people know that tax functionaries could be held accountable by Ombudsman.
Speaking on the occasion, President LCCI, Shahzad Ali Malik said that good governance is equally important in all walks of life but its significance gets much critical in those institutions, which are meant for arbitration.