The Federal Tax Ombudsman(FTO) has issued an order in a complaint filed by M/s Master Tiles & Ceramic Industries Limited, Gujranwala advising Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to hold an inquiry on account of maladministration within 45 days against the persons who are involved in leaking confidential information against the taxpayer.
In a recent order issued in case of M/s Master Tiles & Ceramic Industries Limited, Gujranwala, FTO has further advised the FBR Chairman to take strict disciplinary action against the official(s) responsible. It needs to be probed as to who was responsible for leaking the confidential information with specific details of the complainant company to the press. As a reputable company and its senior directors have been harassed, by way of these press reports, the matter needs to be thoroughly probed, FTO order said.
The FTO further observed that over the last one year there have been a number of complaints filed in this office against accesses committed by Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) Directorate General while conducting inquiries on some information about tax fraud/evasion. The Chairman FBR is also advised to look into this aspect and reconsider the unbridled powers given to Directorate General (I&I), FTO order added.
As per Counsel of the complainant the Intelligence and Investigation wing of the FBR is bound to keep each and every information confidential regarding inquiries or investigations until and unless any final liabilities are determined under section 216 of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001. The complainant was constrained to file a complaint against I&I officials before the FTO with regard to the mal-administration, Counsel of the complainant added.