LAHORE: The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has adjourned the hearing of a case filed by M/s Bashir Pipe Industries (Private) Limited Lahore against the Corporate Regional Tax Office (CRTO), Lahore, until the next date of hearing.
FTO Consultant Tariq Yousaf heard the case in which counsel for appellant M/s Bashir Pipe Industries (Private) Limited argued that the Corporate Regional Tax Office (CRTO) had failed to release the tax refund of the last two years claimed by the company.
He said the RTO collected excessive tax from M/s Bashir Pipe Industries (Private) Limited during the last two years. He approached the commissioner concerned many times for issuance of refunds but the CRTO officials did not pay 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 CRTO to clear the refund claims.
The counsel further said the CRTO should refund the excess collection in the 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 the CRTO Lahore should audit the cases and release the extra amount collected by it from the taxpayer.
On the other hand, counsel for CRTO argued that appellant M/s Bashir Pipe Industries (Private) Limited has not submitted all record in the office on the basis of which it is claiming refunds. If appellant provides accurate record, the CRTO will issue the refunds if any after a proper assessment.
After hearing the arguments from both sides, M/s Bashir Pipe Industries (Private) Limited adjourned the hearing until next date for further hearing and directed the parties to appear on the said date to present arguments in the case.
