The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) authorities have invited suggestions from all regional commissioners of income tax (RCITs) regarding issuance of national tax numbers (NTNs) to those taxpayers, who have not obtained their computerised national identity cards (NICs), Business Recorder has learnt. The CBR has taken this action upon a letter written by Commissioner of Income Tax Zone-B, Eastern Region, Lahore, in which he has pointed out to the Board authorities that 25 to 30 percent traders have not got their computerised ID cards, therefore, they could not be issued NTNs. The CBR has asked all RCITs to give their suggestions on the issue.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that the Commissioner Zone-B, Eastern Region Lahore, Khawar Khurshid Butt, who has been assigned the task of broadening the tax base, has opposed a proposal regarding issuance of temporary NTNs to those taxpayers, who are yet to get their computerised NICs.
He has pleaded to the CBR that relaxation in producing computerised NIC for issuance of NTN would cause many complications for the department. It could also lead to duplication of NTNs, besides affecting the data entry process of taxpayers; he has pointed out to the CBR authorities.
This problem came to light when the Zone-B organised tax facilitation camps in Lahore to register new taxpayers. In December last, TFCs were set up at Liberty Market and Allama Iqbal Town from where 62 and 183 income tax returns were received, respectively.
These taxpayers were also issued NTNs on old NICs. But from the year January 2005, computerised NIC has been made mandatory for obtaining NTN.
In February and March 2005, the Zone-B taxation officers organised camps at other places, including Bilal Ganj, Shahdara, Ferozepur Road and Township etc and it was found that at least 25 to 30 percent of the traders and businessmen of these areas had not got their new NICs.
However, the tax officials have decided to accept returns from all the taxpayers whether they have old or new NIC. But they are not being issued NTNs.
Earlier, the CBR had decided to issue NTNs on verification of old NICs by Nadra. But, the Nadra authorities refused to verify the old NICs free of cost, while the CBR declined the demand of making any payment in lieu of this service.