LAHORE: The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has adjourned the hearing of a case filed by M/s Punjab Modarba Services (Private) Limited until the next date.
According to the details, FTO Advisor Muhammad Munir Qurashi heard the case of M/s Punjab Modarba Services in which the counsel for the appellant argued that the Regional Tax Office (RTO-I) had failed to release the sales tax refund of the last two years claimed by the company.
He said that the RTO collected excessive tax from M/s Punjab Modarba Services Private Limited during the last two years. He approached the commissioner concerned many time for issuance of refunds but the RTO officials did not pay the refunds after the passage of reasonable time.
At the end, the company decided to approach the FTO seeking interference in this case. The counsel appealed the FTO advisor to direct the RTO to clear the refund claims.
The counsel further said that the RTO should refund the excess collection in wake of taxes by the end of financial year but the situation is quite otherwise. Delay in issuance of refunds put burden on the taxpayers, he said, adding that the RTO should make audit of the cases and release the extra amount collected by it from the taxpayer.
On the other hand, counsel for RTO argued that the appellant Mudassar Kaiser M/s Punjab Modarba Services Private Limited has not submitted all record in the office on which basis it is claiming for refunds. If appellant provides accurate record, the RTO will issue the refunds if any after proper assessment.
After hearing the arguments from both sides, Advisor Muhammad Munir Qurashi adjourned the case until next date for further hearing and directed the parties to appear on said date to present arguments in the case.
