PESHAWAR: Businessmen of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to remove their grievances and apprehensions over the shifting cases of 128 units from regional tax office Peshawar to Large Taxpayers Unit Islamabad, asking to make the LTU as optional instead of mandatory for them.

They, made this demand during a meeting with Member Inland Revenue Operation, Dr Muhammad Ashfaq. The meeting was presided over by the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) president Engr Maqsood Anwar Pervaiz here at the chamber house.

Instead of imposing additional burden of taxes on existing taxpayers, the business community urged the FBR to take measures for broadening existing tax-base by bringing more people under tax-net. Besides, the community asked to carry out a one time tax audit instead of multiple audits.

The businessmen called for deferment of turnover tax for next one year and reduction in the ratio of this tax. They furthermore demanded the appointment of an independent lawyer in ADRC. Fixed tax regime should be introduced for small traders, besides member legal at Appellate Tribunal should be appointed, the traders demanded.

While responding to demands, reservations and different queries of the business community, Dr Muhammad Ashfaq assured that FBR will remove grievances of business community regarding shifting cases of 128 units from RTO Peshawar to LTU Islamabad.

The senior official explained that the shifting of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cases to LTU Islamabad aimed to facilitate the taxpayers, not to add to their problems. Dr Ashfaq informed the meeting that Peshawar High Court stayed the shifting of KP cases to LTU Islamabad so they will take further steps and actions in light of the judgment of the superior court.

Keeping in view the reservations of the business community about the Point of Sale (POS) system, the senior official said the consultation would be made with relevant stakeholders before enforcement of the system, adding that implementation of POS system might be extended.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020