FTO assures PTBA, LTBA officials of correcting FBR systems

Pakistan Tax Bar Association (PTBA) and Lahore Tax Bar Association (LTBA) office bearers Thursday met Federal tax Ombudsman (FTO) Mushtaq Ahmad Sukhera.

During the meeting the associations' office bearers raised a number of questions for which Federal Tax Ombudsman Mushtaq Ahmad Sukhera replied.

The FTO ensured the representatives of the bar that all out measures would be taken to correct the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) systems especially IRIS as the system was often go inoperative when the filers countrywide attempted to file their returns by using the system.

The FTO was quoted as saying that he himself would like to establish liaison with the FBR chairman to make things better for the filers and taxpayers.

The FTO ensured the representatives that there would be no discrimination between the tax collectors and taxpayers when it comes to hearing of the cases by the FTO advisors.

If anything happens in this regard he would take prompt action and the responsible would not be spared, Sukhera stated, adding tax returns would also be ensured to be simplified.

The bars representatives also discussed with the FTO the matters relating to the draft for the small traders and the retailers.

He said he would seek a comprehensive report on the delays in finalising the draft and as to why it was not finalized.

While talking about the asset declaration scheme, the FTO was quoted as replying that he would also seek response from the FBR as to why the internet system could not be able to cater the need of the taxpayers when the date of assets declaration was extended.

"This is not acceptable that over 15,000 thousand taxpayers are still hanging in balance and not being properly accommodated," he told the bars representatives.

PTBA and LTBA former president Naeem Shah, PTBA former general secretary Rana Munir, PTBA Senior Vice President Habibur Rehman Zubari, General secretary Ferhan Shahzad, Finance Secretary Shahbaz Sidique, Vice presidents Sohail, VP Ansri, LTBA Khuram Shabaz Butt, Vice President Ashiq Ali Rana and other were present on the occasion.