KARACHI: Karachi Tax Bar Association (KTBA) President Muhammad Zubair has sought merger of the Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) into the Sindh Tax Ombudsman Office.
In this regard, the KTBA president has written a letter to Sindh Tax Ombudsman Asad Ashraf Malik, stating that the KTBA is the largest tax bar of Pakistan established in 1957. The aim to establish the bar was to ensure proper implementation of tax codes and play a role to enhance tax net in the country.
He further stated that the Sindh Tax Ombudsman was fully aware of the fact that after 18th amendment the concurrent list of the Constitution was devolved to the provinces, which includes sales tax on services.
In consequences of 18th Amendment, the Sindh Revenue Board was established in July 2011 and Sindh Sales Tax on Services Act was promulgated on the same date.
Afterwards, the Sindh Revenue Board started working from very first day and collecting huge amount of tax from the taxpayers, its officers generally acted beyond their powers and created harassment in the taxpayers.
He further stated that the appellate remedies available under the act are subordinate to the Sindh Revenue Board, therefore, the taxpayers are not fully confident that the justice will be done in these cases.
“As you know that due to these circumstances the federal government has established Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO). Your office is effectively and efficiently deciding the complaints filed against the departments falling under your jurisdiction. We are sure that if the Sindh Revenue Board is brought under your kind jurisdiction, grievances of the common taxpayer will be addressed effectively and in speedy manner to restrain the government functionaries from act beyond their powers”, he asserted.
In the letter, the President KTBA hoped that the Sindh Tax Ombudsman will find the way in order to provide more insight to meet with the KTBA delegation as per his convenience.
