The Finance Division has approved a budget of Rs 2411.63 million for meeting the operational expenses of 12 Regional Tax Offices (RTOs) to be set up in all major cities during fiscal year 2005-06.
Official sources told Business Recorder on Saturday that the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) has stepped up efforts to start these RTOs functioning for timely utilisation of the funds. Tax offices would be set up in 12 cities where taxpayers would be able to deal with all matters pertaining to sales tax, federal excise and income tax under one roof.
Finance Division''s budget allocation of Rs 2411.63 million is only meant for ''operational expenses'', and the amount has to be utilised by the end of current financial year.
Out of the total allocated amount, Regional Tax Office (RTO), Karachi has been earmarked Rs 79.78 million; RTO Faisalabad Rs 69.02 million; RTO Peshawar Rs 64.22 million; RTO Rawalpindi Rs 62.52 million; RTO Lahore Rs 49.52 million; RTO Sukkur Rs 17.92 million; RTO Hyderabad Rs 17.92 million; RTO Multan Rs 17.22 million; RTO Gujranwala Rs 16.42 million; RTO Sialkot Rs 6.03 million; RTO Quetta Rs 6.03 million and Regional Tax Office Abbottabad has to utilise an amount of Rs 6.03 million during 2005-06.
Officials said that Regional Tax Offices are not yet functional, as CBR Human Resource Management (HRM) and Tax Policy and Reforms Wings have not submitted workforce plan and other requirements needed for RTOs.
Under these circumstances, the funds meant for RTOs may have to be surrendered for non-utilisation.
The Finance Division has asked CBR to submit the budget estimates for next financial year (2006-07) for each field formation.
Obviously, the requirements of Regional Tax Offices would have to be reflected, but it may be difficult to convince the Finance Division for allocation of budget in spite of non-utilisation of current year''s allocation, sources said.
The CBR has decided to issue notifications of functioning of Regional Tax Offices and appointment of their heads for timely utilisation of the allocated amount.
In this regard, workforce requirements would have to be immediately determined by the HRM Wing.
CBR Chairman and tax managers would shortly convene a meeting to discuss the issue of utilisation of funds and next year''s budget planning for RTOs, officials added.