The Medium Taxpayer Unit (MTU), Rawalpindi, gave briefing to a group of 42 probationary investigation officers of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) about the ongoing Tax Administration Reforms Project (TARP), automation and self-assessment regime applicable on customs, sales tax, and income tax sides.
In this connection, a delegation of NAB under training officials visited MTU, Rawalpindi, as a part of their study tour, on Thursday. Outlining the revamping process, Iqbal Muzaffar, Commissioner of Income Tax, MTU, Rawalpindi, dilated upon the historical evolution of different types of federal taxes in the country and also comparatively analysed pre- and post-reforms scenario of the department.
He elaborated the restructuring of CBR as a paradigm shift in government policy from out of date manual system of taxation to automated functional-based tax management. Under the new system, income tax circles would be abolished and taxpayers would operate under the Regional Tax Offices (RTOs).
He also highlighted the objectives of the reforms within the tax machinery, which has resulted in taxpayers facilitation and simplification of laws and related return filing procedures.
This was followed by a question-answer session. All the probationary officers actively participated in the session and raised various queries related to reforms, tax policies and future objectives. The queries were answered by Iqbal Muzaffar.
A detailed presentation was given by Mrs Raana Seerat, additional commissioner (audit), MTU, Rawalpindi, on income tax law and procedures. She highlighted various provisions of law specially related to concealment of income and probing of assets and liabilities declared by the taxpayers.
Saeedullah Khan, additional commissioner (legal), gave presentation to the trainees, on the reformed units. He dealt at length the need, strategy, and benefits of reforms along with the working of the reformed units.
Representing the indirect taxes, Rashid Habib, deputy director, Training and Research (indirect taxes) and Fakharul Islam, cost accountant, Sales Tax Department, gave presentations about their respective departments and explained different provisions of law and on-going reforms process related to these taxes.
Later, Dr Colonel Muhammad Anwar (retd), director (research analysis and training), National Accountability Bureau (Headquarters) appreciated the on-going reforms and its ultimate benefit to the business community. He termed the data on taxes as an important study material for the trainee investigation officers.