Federal Tax Ombudsman's (FTO) office has issued directions to Chairman FBR to submit comments over non-implementation of order of FTO passed in a complaint filed by a local tiles manufacturer. In this regard, the FTO's Lahore office has issued fresh directions to Chairman FBR to appear (personally or through authorised attorney/advocate) before Advisor (I&M) FTO office and submit his comments in a complaint filed by M/s. Master Tiles & Ceramic Industries Limited last year.
According to the directions issued to the tax authorities, the hearing of the case has been fixed for January 10, 2017. The directions issued to the company, FBR Chairman and lawyer of the company said, "You are required to appear before the time fixed personally or authorised attorney/advocate with all relevant records and witnesses for examination," FTO's office directions added.
The advocate for the complainant informed that Tariq Yusuf, Advisor (I&M) conducted hearing of the case on December 6, 2016 in which the lawyer of the complainant apprised the advisor that the implementation of the order has to be made by Chairman FBR whereas notice has been served upon Chief Commissioner RTO Gujranwala who has nothing to do anything with the said case. The Advisor took notice of the matter and ordered to issue notice to Chairman FBR by removing name of Chief Commissioner Gujranwala from the list of respondents. Now the matter has been fixed for hearing on 10-01-2017 for implementation of findings in respect of the decision of the FTO in case number 53/ISD/IT (39)648/2015.
The regional office of the FTO has asked all concerned to bring relevant record and witnesses for examination, the advocate added. Earlier, the FTO had ordered the FBR to hold an inquiry against those officers/officials of Intelligence and Investigation wing of FBR who were allegedly involved in leakage of confidential information. It was observed in the said order that the act of I&I was against the relevant provisions of section 216 of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001 as they were supposed to keep the information confidential, till the final outcome of the case.