LAHORE: The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has adjourned the hearing of a case filed by M/s KBS Steel Furnace against the Regional Tax Office (RTO) Gujranwala until the next hearing.
FTO Advisor Mazhar Farooq Shraizi heard the case of Usman Khalid, M/s KBS Steel Furnace, in which the counsel for appellant argued that the RTO had failed to release the refund of last three years.
He said the RTO collected excessive tax from M/s KBS Steel Furnace during the last three years. He approached the officer concerned many a time for issuance of refunds but the RTO Gujranwala officials did not pay refunds after the lapse of a reasonable time.
Finally, the appellant decided to approach the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) seeking intervention in the case. The counsel appealed to the FTO advisor to direct the RTO Gujranwala to clear the refund claims as early as possible.
The counsel further said the delay in issuance of refund claims put burden on the taxpayers. 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 Gujranwala argued that the appellant has not submitted all the record to the office on which basis he is claiming for refund. If appellant provides accurate record, the RTO will release refund, if any, after a proper assessment, he added.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Advisor Mazhar Farooq Shraizi adjourned the case until the next date for further hearing and directed the parties to appear on the said date to present arguments in the case.
