LAHORE: The Federal Tax Ombudsman has recommended to Federal Board of Revenue to publicize the new techniques introduced by PRAL through print media and electronic media at least for six months before implementation.
According to sources and data available to Customs Today, in a case moved by Mukhtar Ahmad proprietor of Hafiz food Ice Factory, FTO has issued these directions. The complaint was filed in terms of section 10(1) of the FTO Ordinance, 2000 against non-payment of income tax refund for the tax year of 2014.
Refund of Rs 75,853 was claimed on the basis of income tax return filed electronically along with an application for refund for the tax year of 2014. It was also claimed by the applicant that all original documents were also submitted on the same day but refund was not yet paid.
On the other hand Chief Commissioner forwarded his comments to FTO that applicants refund application was not appeared in inbox of Inland Revenue information system. Due to this reason refund could not be processed.
The AR in this regard explained that it was a departmental issue which is not responsibility of the applicant if any difficulty is faced by the concerned commissioner it is departmental obligation to counter it.
After proceedings on the case the FTO has said that automation system of PRAL was not compatible with the legal provisions, nor the tax payer has been made aware of such technical formalities through any publicity by FBR. The new techniques should be publicized through print and electronic media for minimum months to aware the public before adopting new system.
