FBR considering creating new post of Deputy Chairman

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is likely to take a major reform initiative by creating a new post of Deputy Chairman FBR to ensure smooth functioning in the absence of the FBR Chairman. Sources told Business Recorder on Monday that the tax managers were considering introducing a new position of Deputy Chairman FBR for attending important meetings and looking after the work of the FBR Chairman in his absence.
There are other situations when the tax authorities have to attend important international conferences or meetings with the donor agencies etc. In this regard, the FBR is analysing different aspects of this proposal under the existing organisational structure of the Board. The provisions of the Federal Board of Revenue Act 2007 would also be analysed for this purpose.
According to sources, in case any proposal is finalised the Deputy Chairman FBR will not be authorised to take policy decisions on behalf of the FBR Chairman. However, he can attend meetings. This would streamline the functions of the Board and ensure that the work of the FBR is not affected. The purpose of creating the post of the Deputy Chairman FBR is not to give some decision making powers to the official, but to assist the FBR Chairman to timely address the problems of the business and trade. The slot could be termed as a ceremonial position to facilitate the tax authorities in running day-to-day functions.
At present, two positions of BS-22 in the Inland Revenue Service (IRS) and one position of Customs Services (BS-22) have already been approved by the ministry of Finance. The proposed position of the Deputy Chairman FBR may be assigned to the FBR Member IR. The existing position of the Member IR has to be upgraded to BS-22 for his appointment as Deputy Chairman FBR. The position has to be given to the most senior member of the FBR.
Another change is expected under the existing organisational structure of the FBR on the pattern of the Customs Department. It is being examined to create two new positions of Grade-21 of Director Generals North and South. These positions may directly report to the FBR Member IR. However, any move to revert to the position of FBR Member Income Tax and Sales Tax would be a step against the reforms which would not be implemented. The position of the FBR Member IR would not be compromised which was created as a major step under the reforms.
On the Customs side, the position of Chief North and South already exists and similar kind of Director General of North and South may be created under the organisational structure of the Board. The proposed positions of the Director Generals would directly report to the FBR Member Inland Revenue in order to assist the Member IR in taking enforcement functions of the Board. However, these are merely proposals which need to be analysed before taking any final decision.