ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has constituted 18 Alternative Dispute Resolution Committees (ADRCs) of sales tax, federal excise and income tax for resolution of tax disputes during July 2020 to Feb, 2021.

According to the details released by the FBR here on Thursday, the FBR is making all out efforts to restore taxpayer’s trust by taking several steps including resolution of tax disputes through constitution of Alternative Dispute Resolution Committees (ADRCs).

Responding to the applicants’ grievances on fast track basis, IR-Operations Wing, FBR, during the period July, 2020 to Feb, 2021, has constituted eighteen Committees, under the sales tax, federal excise & income tax heads. Out of the said ADRCs, 14 Committees have so far successfully decided the disputes referred to the Board.

The FBR has stated that the said mechanism, as part of out of court settlement and revenue mobilization, has been mobilized to enable taxpayers to get their disputes settled in lesser time and without incurring litigation cost.

While explaining, FBR has stated that by virtue of major facilitative change introduced through Finance Act-2020, an applicant, in order to avail ADRC, is not required to withdraw his case pending before any appellate forum. To make the process more transparent and trust-worthy, ADRC is composed of three members including Chief Commissioner-IR from the department’s side and notable Chartered Accountants/ Lawyers & Businessmen from the private sector.

The committee is also empowered to stay the process of recovery in case of hardship. Taxpayer’s application has to be finalized by the Committee within a short period of 120 days which in itself is a big relief considering the usual time taken in various appellate fora before a case attains finality.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021